Seismic behavior of confined RC column-composite beam joints

In order to evaluate the seismic behavior of confined RC column-composite beam joints, five interior joints were tested under low cyclic reversed load. The weakening extent of flanges, the number of studs, and whether to reinforce weakened flanges were used as parameters in designing these five joints. Failure characteristics, hysteretic curves, skeleton curves, ductility, energy dissipation, strength degradation, and stiffness degradation were analyzed. The test results revealed that the steel beam flanges in the joints were equivalent to the tie rod. Weakened flanges resulted in poor seismic behavior; however, the seismic behavior could be improved by increasing studs and reinforcing weakened flanges. The joint steel plate hoops, equivalent to stirrups, did not yield when the maximum load was reached, but yielded when the failure load was reached for the joints with shear failure. Increasing stud-type joints and reinforcing flange-type joints ensured good seismic behavior and met project requirements. Based on the experimental results, the failure mechanism of the joints was discussed, and the shear capacity equations of the joints was presented. © 2014 Tianjin University and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.