Seismic performance of GFRP-RC beam-column and beam-column-slab subassemblies
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Date
2019-09-14
Authors
Khalili Ghomi, Shervin
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Abstract
In the past two decades, Fiber Reinforced Polymers (FRPs) have been introduced as an effective alternative for the conventional steel bars and stirrups in reinforced concrete (RC) structures mainly due to their superior performance in terms of corrosion resistance. However, despite the promising results of the studies on the behaviour of individual FRP-RC elements such as beams, columns and slabs under monotonic loading, studies on the integral behaviour of FRP-RC subassemblies where two or more structural elements interact with each other are scarce. The lack of research data is especially evident concerning one of the primary concerns about the performance of FRP-RC structures, the feasibility of using these materials in seismically active regions.
This study aims to enhance the understanding of the seismic performance of FRP-RC structures by conducting comprehensive investigations on the seismic behaviour of FRP-RC beam-column joints as key elements in framed structures. The program consists of an experimental phase, involving the construction and testing of twelve full-scale beam-column subassemblies, and an analytical phase, utilizing nonlinear finite element modelling (FEM) to simulate the seismic behaviour of FRP-RC connections in moment-resisting frames.
The effect of several primary parameters such as geometrical configuration (interior and exterior), joint shear stress, presence of lateral beams, type of reinforcement, and presence of cast-in situ slabs on the seismic performance of GFRP-RC beam-column connections was investigated. Additionally, an effective solution to address the lack of energy dissipation in FRP-RC structures as one of the concerns about their seismic performance was proposed.
As part of the analytical phase, a commercial FEM software (ATENA 3D) was used to perform a parametric study to further investigate the effect of various parameters on the performance of beam-column and beam-column-slab connections such as joint shear stress, size of lateral beams, reinforcement material, column axial load and geometrical configuration.
Results of the experimental and analytical investigations indicated that GFRP-RC subassemblies are capable of withstanding multiple cyclic loadings up to 8% drift ratio without exhibiting brittle failure. Moreover, it was found that the geometrical configuration significantly affects the level of concrete damage and energy dissipation of GFRP-RC beam-columns.
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Keywords
GFRP-RC, Moment-resisting frames, Seismic performance, Cyclic loading, Beam-column connections, Beam-column-slab subassemblies, Lateral load-drift response, Bolted steel side plates, FRP-RC moment-resisting frames