This paper on "Analytical Modelling of Reinforced Concrete Beam-Column Joints Under Seismic Loading" was presented at the NAFEMS World Congress on Design, Simulation & Optimisation: Reliability & Applicability of Computational Methods - 9-11 April 1997, Stuttgart, Germany.

Summary

A reinforced concrete beam-column connection was modelled analytically using finite elements. The concrete elements possessed crushing and cracking capabilities with bi-linear kinematic hardening in compression. The reinforcement was modelled with elastic-plastic rod elements. Loading was applied cyclically until all integration points in an element had either cracked or crushed.
The analytical results compared favourably with results obtained from full scale tests on laboratory specimens. The mechanism for sharing the joint shear resistance between concrete strut action in the joint core and truss action with the transverse stirrups, was investigated. It was possible to comment on current published design rules for the design of transverse reinforcement in seismically loaded joints.