Structural Behaviour Of Reinforced High-Performance Concrete Joints In Frames Subjected To Lateral Cyclic Loading

This project involves experimental and theoretical investigations on the structural behavior of different reinforced beam-column frame specimens made of different concrete materials and reinforcement configurations subjected to cyclic lateral loading to failure. This research is intended to develop high performance self-consolidating concrete (SCC) frames with Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC) and Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) joints with better seismic resistance and load carrying capacity as alternatives to conventional concrete frames. Four ECC and UHPC jointed shear and flexure critical SCC frames were tested and their performance was compared based on hysteretic load-deformation response, rebar/concrete strain development, cracking characteristics, stiffness degradation, energy absorption and failure modes. Comparison between code-based and experimental strength capacities is also conducted. The ECC jointed frames illustrated higher ductility, energy absorbing capacity and durability compared to their UHPC counterparts.