Multicomponent model of reinforced concrete joints for cyclic loading

Efficient simplified models are available for reinforced concrete beams and columns, with the assumption of a perfectly rigid connection. However, int erior beam/column joints have been shown to be the area of strong deformati on and degradation mechanisms, involving mainly the cyclic behaviors of con crete under shear and of bond under push-pull loading. In this paper, a glo bal component-based model is proposed for the beam/column connections of re inforced concrete frame structures that can be directly connected to beam e lements. This model incorporates explicitly the modeling of concrete, steel , and steel/concrete bond. Thus, the key mechanisms of deformation and degr adation of the connection, as well as various interactions can be taken int o account naturally. In particular, the effect of push-pull-type loading on the flexural steels can be captured. On the basis of a local finite-elemen t modeling of the connection, simplifying assumptions are proposed and impl emented leading to the component-based model. Both approaches (local and co mponent-based) are compared on an application example.