Component based design model for composite beam to reinforced concrete wall moment-resistant joints

Abstract

The use of the structural systems combining members of different nature, such as reinforced concrete walls with steel/composite beams and columns, presents a competitive solution benefiting from the structural efficiency of each type of member. This paper investigates the behavior of a composite beam to reinforced concrete wall moment–resistant joint configuration. The proposed joint configuration is a simple solution with structural capacity to connect these types of members in a non-seismic region. An experimental campaign was conducted within the work programme of a RFCS research project that demonstrated the structural efficiency of the joint. An analytical component based design model is proposed. The development of the model was performed with the aid of numerical simulations and experimental results. In the present paper, the calibration and validation of model is first presented for parts of the joint, where only several components are activated, and after the global model is assembled and verified against the experimental results. Subsequently, a parametric study is presented extending the range of validity of the model. Finally, this study shows the need to detail the concrete components appropriately (wall) in order to prevent brittle failure of the joint.