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SEISMIC RESPONSE OF A CONCRETE FRAME WITH WEAK BEAM-COLUMN JOINTS

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The Professional Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute PREPRINT This preprint is a PDF of a manuscript that has been accepted for publication in Earthquake Spectra. It is the final version that was uploaded and approved by the author(s). While the paper has been through the usual rigorous peer review process for the Journal, it has not been copyedited, nor have the figures and tables been modified for final publication. Please also note that the paper may refer to online Appendices that are not yet available. We have posted this preliminary version of the manuscript online in the interest of making the scientific findings available for distribution and citation as quickly as possible following acceptance. However, readers should be aware that the final, published version will look different from this version and may also have some differences in content. The DOI for this manuscript and the correct format for citing the paper are given at the top of the online (html) abstract. Once the final, published version of this paper is posted online, it will replace the preliminary version at the specified DOI.
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The Professional Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute

PREPRINT

This preprint is a PDF of a manuscript that has been accepted for publication in Earthquake Spectra. It is the final version that was uploaded and approved by the author(s). While the paper has been through the usual rigorous peer review process for the Journal, it has not been copyedited, nor have the figures and tables been modified for final publication. Please also note that the paper may refer to online Appendices that are not yet available. We have posted this preliminary version of the manuscript online in the interest of making the scientific findings available for distribution and citation as quickly as possible following acceptance. However, readers should be aware that the final, published version will look different from this version and may also have some differences in content.

The DOI for this manuscript and the correct format for citing the paper are given at the top of the online (html) abstract. Once the final, published version of this paper is posted online, it will replace the preliminary version at the specified DOI.

Bayhan et al. 1

SEISMIC RESPONSE OF A CONCRETE FRAME WITH WEAK BEAM-COLUMN JOINTS

B.Bayhan,a)M.EERI, J.P. Moehle,b)

M.EERI, S. Yavari,c) K.J. Elwood,d)M.EERI,

S.H. Lin,e) C.L. Wu,f) and S.J. Hwang,g)

A reduced-scale, planar, two-story by two-bay reinforced concrete frame with

weak beam-column joints was subjected to earthquake simulations on a shaking

table. The beam-column joints did not contain transverse reinforcement, as is

typical in older-type construction designed without attention to detailing for

ductile response. A series of linear and nonlinear analytical models of the frame

were developed in accordance with ASCE 41 and were subjected to the input base

motions. The goodness of fit between analytical and measured results depended

on the details of the analytical model. Reasonably accurate reproduction of the

measured response was obtained only by modeling the inelastic response of both

the columns and the beam-column joints. The results confirm the importance of

modeling nonlinear joint behavior in older-type concrete buildings with deficient

beam-column joints.

INTRODUCTION

Reinforced concrete frames can be made earthquake-resistant by providing appropriate

stiffness, strength, proportions, materials, and reinforcement details. Design procedures for

earthquake-resistant concrete construction based on ductile behavior of the system were

introduced in the 1960s (Blume et al., 1961) and have been adapted to modern building

practices worldwide (e.g., ACI 318, 2011; AIJ, 1994; NZS 3101, 2006). Buildings

constructed prior to the adoption of these modern practices may contain deficiencies that

make them especially vulnerable to damage or collapse during earthquake shaking.

a) Assistant Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Bursa Technical University, Bursa, Turkey b) Professor, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, USA c) Associate Research Fellow, PhD, Dept. of Civil Eng., University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada d) Associate Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada e) MASc., Dept. of Civil Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan f) Associate Research Fellow, PhD, National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering, Taipei, Taiwan g) Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

Bayhan et al. 2

Procedures for seismic assessment and rehabilitation of such buildings have been developed

(ASCE 31, 2003; ASCE 41, 2008), but these procedures have not been widely tested against

actual response of older-type construction subjected to earthquake motions. In the present

study we examine the seismic response of a deficient reinforced concrete frame that was

tested in a laboratory, and we explore the accuracy of various procedures for analytically

assessing its response.

The test structure was a reduced-scale, planar, two-story by two-bay reinforced concrete

frame constructed without transverse reinforcement in the beam-column joints. The frame

was subjected to earthquake simulations on a shaking table, resulting in severe damage to the

joints. Linear and nonlinear analytical models consistent with the modeling procedures of

ASCE 41 (2008) were implemented and subjected to the input base motions. The results

provide a basis for judging the accuracy of various modeling assumptions and confirm the

importance of modeling nonlinear response, including beam-column joint nonlinearity for the

case of buildings in which joint failures occur.

PRIOR STUDIES

Past earthquake reconnaissance has identified distress and failure in beam-column joints

with inadequate transverse reinforcement, including, in some cases, the appearance that joint

failure contributed to partial or total building collapse. Examples of earthquakes that involved

beam-column joint damage include El-Asnam, Algeria, 1980; Northridge, California, 1994;

Tehuacan, Mexico, 1999; Izmit, Turkey, 1999; Athens, Greece, 1999; Chi-Chi Taiwan, 1999;

and Haiti, 2010. Figure 1 illustrates the partial collapse of a building that could be attributed

to beam-column joint failure. Recognizing the importance of beam-column joints as part of

the seismic-force-resisting system in concrete frame buildings, many researchers starting

with Hanson and Connor (1967) have conducted studies of joint behavior. Since that seminal

work, many laboratory and analytical studies on beam-column joints without transverse

reinforcement have been reported (e.g., Uzumeri, 1977; Beres et al., 1992; Priestley and Hart,

1994; Clyde et al., 2000; Hakuto et al., 2000; Walker, 2001; Calvi et al., 2002ab; Pampanin

et al., 2002 and 2003; Gencoglu and Eren, 2002; Ghobarah and Said, 2002; Pantelides et al.,

2002ab and 2008; Antonopulos and Triantafillou, 2003; Woo, 2003; Wong, 2005;

Engindeniz et al., 2008; Karayannis et al., 2008; Bedirhanoglu et al., 2010; Akguzel, 2011,

Quintana-Gallo et al., 2011). These tests have established that joints without transverse

reinforcement can have relatively low ductility/deformation capacity when loaded to their

Bayhan et al. 3

ultimate strength. Until now, no shaking table tests on frames failing in unreinforced beam-

column joints have been reported.

Figure 1 Partial collapse of Kaiser-Permanente Building, 1994 Northridge earthquake. (National Information Service for Earthquake Engineering)

A variety of approaches have been proposed for modeling frames with weak or flexible

joints. Kunnath et al. (1995) reduced the flexural strengths of the beams and columns framing

into the joint to model inadequate joint shear strength. Alath and Kunnath (1995) modeled

joint shear deformation through a rotational spring model, with degrading hysteresis

determined empirically. Biddah and Ghobarah (1999) modeled joint shear and bond-slip

deformations through rotational springs and, in a subsequent study, Ghobarah and Biddah

(1999) used the model to demonstrate that joint deformations resulted in increased flexibility

and drifts under earthquake loading. Youssef and Ghobarrah (2001) proposed a joint element

comprising 14 springs; twelve translational springs located at the panel zone interface to

represent bond slip and other inelastic actions and two diagonal springs to simulate joint

shear deformation. Other joint models have also been proposed (Lowes and Altoontash,

2003; Altoontash, 2004; Shin and LaFave, 2004; Favvata et al., 2008). Celik and Ellingwood

(2009) reports a study on previous joint models and calibrates parameters to model joint

shear stress-strain relationships using results of full-scale beam-column joint tests.

The cited studies provide a basis for developing analytical models of reinforced concrete

frames including linear and nonlinear responses of beam-column joints. The present paper

Bayhan et al. 4

reports a study in which a subset of these models is applied to a frame that sustained joint

failures during a shaking table test.

THE SHAKING TABLE TESTS

TEST STRUCTURE

The test structure studied here was part of a series of test structures investigating seismic

behavior of older-type reinforced concrete frames (Yavari et al., 2013). The test structure was

a planar, 1/2.25-scale, two-story by two-bay reinforced concrete frame tested on the shaking

table at the National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering (NCREE) in Taiwan.

Scaled member dimensions were selected to be representative of those in the lower portions

of an exterior frame of an existing six-story hospital building in Taiwan. Additional

adjustments were made to accommodate limitations of the laboratory test environment.

Figures 2, 3, and 4 present geometry and reinforcement details of the test frame.

1555

1710

B

2000 2000

1000 1000 10005000

500

455

300

1400

1400

600

500

600

600

1400

310

1400

310

300

200

Elevation Side View

310

200

310

A

A

CC

CC

B

B

C A

Figure 2 Shaking table test specimen. (All dimensions are mm)

Bayhan et al. 5

20020

8 Ø16

Ø10@150mm

600

Ø10@150mm

Beam Section A-A (First Level)

70

2 Ø102 Ø10

200

310 4 Ø13 Ø10@150mm

600

Beam Section B-B (Second Level)

70

4 Ø1031

0

Varies at beam end

Varies at beam end 20

200

200

17

8 Ø135mm@40mm c/c

Column Section C-C

2 Ø102 Ø10

Figure 3 Reinforcement details. (All dimensions are mm)

As shown in Figure 4, the effectively planar test structure comprised two bays and two

stories with columns fixed at the foundation level. Column stubs extended above the second

level to represent continuity in the taller prototype building and to provide anchor points for

vertical prestressed rods and additional seismic mass used to increase forces to levels that

were consistent with those expected in a taller building (described in detail later). The lower-

level beam-column joints were the primary focus of this test structure. Therefore, these were

constructed without joint transverse reinforcement.

40

30

40

5mm

ties

@ 4

0mm

c/c

5mm

ties

@ 4

0mm

c/c

4040

200 400 200

Ø10 @ 150 mm Varies at beam end

Ø10 @ 150 mm Varies at beam end

BC A

100100

Figure 4 Reinforcement layout (Yavari 2011).

Beam stubs were provided on one side of the lower-level beam-column joints (Figure 2)

to represent transverse beams framing into the exterior frames of the prototype building.

Exploratory tests conducted as part of this study showed that corner joints without transverse

Bayhan et al. 6

framing members are unrealistically vulnerable and not representative of typical construction

that has transverse beams. (The test program would have been improved by constructing a

complete three-dimensional frame and subjecting it to three-dimensional shaking. This was,

however, beyond the capabilities of this test program.) The upper level beam-column joints

were provided with transverse reinforcement and stubs on all exposed joint surfaces to ensure

that they did not fail during the tests.

Beam bottom and top reinforcement extended through the interior joint without hooks or

splices. The same reinforcement was anchored in exterior joints by hooks having tails

extending toward the joint mid-depth, as was sometimes done in joints of older lateral-force-

resisting frames. Another common detail was for bottom bars to extend a short length into

exterior joints and terminate without a hook. That detail was not investigated in this study.

Beams and columns of the test frame were designed so that inelastic response, if it

occurred in those components, would be in a ductile flexural mode without shear or splice

failure. Beam longitudinal reinforcement was chosen to create a weak-column-strong-beam

system, which is not unusual in older concrete construction. Beams were cast monolithic with

a slab, creating a flanged beam. Columns were reinforced with continuous longitudinal bars

(without splices), resulting in total longitudinal reinforcement ratio of 0.026. It was desirable

to have widely spaced column transverse reinforcement so as to not interfere with joint

failure mechanisms (which tend to spread into the column), while also ensuring that column

shear failure would not occur. The provided transverse reinforcement ratio for all columns

was 0.0049 (ρ” = Ast/bs where Ast is the area of transverse reinforcement parallel to the plane

of the frame with spacing s, and b is the column width), with a spacing of 0.2b. Using ASCE

41 (2008), the ratio of the plastic shear demand (Vp) to the initial nominal shear strength (Vn)

was 0.5 for the columns, indicating that the columns would be governed by flexural yielding.

Joint shear demands can be estimated based on the beam flexural tension and

compression forces required to equilibrate the beam-column connection when the columns

develop nominal flexural strengths above and below the joint (ACI 352, 2002). According to

ASCE 41 (2008), joint nominal strength is

j

'

cn Af083.0V γ= (MPa) (1)

where Aj is the joint area and γ is a coefficient depending on joint geometry. For exterior

joints with and without transverse beams γ =8 and 6, respectively, whereas for interior joints

Bayhan et al. 7

with and without transverse beams γ =12 and 10, respectively. Because only one transverse

beam frames into the joint, interpolated values of γ =7 and 11 are adopted for exterior and

interior joints of the test frame, respectively. Using these procedures, ratios of joint demands

to joint nominal strengths are 2.4 and 1.8 at exterior and interior joints, respectively. Thus,

inelastic behavior of joints was anticipated.

Considering the effectively constant column flexural strength over height and the weak

beam-column joints at the first elevated level, the expected failure mechanism includes

flexural yielding at the base of the columns and joint shear failure at the first level. Some

yielding of the upper columns just below the second-level beams was also possible for

stronger shaking levels.

The test structure was constructed in an upright position at a location near the testing

location. Mean measured compressive strength of concrete cylinders was 35.8 MPa at the

time of the shaking table tests. Column longitudinal reinforcement was deformed, with yield

and ultimate tensile strengths of 467 and 702 MPa, and strain hardening commencing at

strain εsh=0.006. Column transverse reinforcement was smooth, with yield and ultimate

tensile strengths of 469 and 480 MPa, respectively. Beams also used deformed longitudinal

reinforcement and smooth transverse reinforcement. The reinforcing steel properties of

beams are given in Table 1.

Table 1 The reinforcing steel properties of beams

Location Type Size* Yield stress, Fy

(MPa) Ultimate stress, Fu

(MPa)

1st story beam longitudinal No.16 447 637 transverse No.10 457 652

2nd story beam longitudinal No.13 449 647

longitudinal and transverse

No.10 457 652

*Refers to nominal diameter in mm in accordance with U.S. metric bar sizes

All transverse bars within the footings and beams had 135° end hooks but while those

within the columns had 90° hooks. The concrete clear cover over the transverse

reinforcement was measured as 17 mm and 20 mm for the columns and beams, respectively.

For reference in this paper, the base corresponds to the top of the footings. Levels 1 and 2

refer to the first and second elevated beams. Columns are identified by their axis letter and

story number; thus, Column A1 is the first-story column at axis A. Joints have similar

Bayhan et al. 8

nomenclature, with the number indicating the level; thus, Joint A1 is the joint immediately

above Column A1.

TEST SETUP

The test specimen was constructed in an upright position in an area outside the testing

laboratory and moved onto the shaking table where it was bolted atop six load cells (two per

column), which were previously bolted to the shaking table (Figure 5).

Elevation

1550

1710

2000 2000

Side View

Top View

Hydraulic Cylinder

Post-tensioned Rod

I Shape Beam

Top Hinge for the Rod

Fixed Clevis ProvidesFree Rotation at the Bottom of theCylinder

750140

5000

750140

310

200

Pin at column topBC A

subsidiarymass

load cells

Figure 5 Test setup showing subsidiary mass, external post-tensioning, and load cells (Yavari 2011).

A stiff steel frame (Figure 6) sandwiched the concrete test frame and provided out-of-

plane stability. A low-friction roller system connecting between the steel and concrete frames

at each level permitted essentially free in-plane motion of the concrete test frame in

horizontal and vertical directions while resisting out-of-plane movement.

Bayhan et al. 9

Inertial masswagon

rigid steelbeamsrollers at mid

span of beams

Elevation view Elevation view Side view

Figure 6 Steel out-of-plane and inertial mass system (Yavari 2011).

Subsidiary mass in the form of lead and steel blocks was attached to the top surfaces of

the beams to simulate tributary gravity and inertial loads at those levels (19.6 kN at Level 1

and 18.9 kN at Level 2) (Figure 6). The connections effectively fixed the mass to the beams

while enabling the beams to deform under applied loads.

As noted previously, the test structure was intended to represent the lower two stories of a

six-story building. Thus, additional measures were necessary to partially simulate effects of

the upper stories. An “inertial mass wagon” weighing 104 kN was positioned above the

second level of the test specimen (Figure 6). The wagon was roller-supported by the steel

out-of-plane frame, with pin-ended links transferring horizontal inertial forces at the second

level. Yavari (2011) provides additional details of the inertial mass wagon.

It was also desirable to increase the column axial loads to values consistent with those in

a taller building. For this purpose, post-tensioning axial forces were applied externally

through pin connections at the tops of the columns. It was intended that the middle column

was initially loaded with a moderate axial load (approximately 0.2fc'Ag) and the exterior

columns with half of that value. Applied axial loads were measured as 0.17fc'Ag and 0.09fc'Ag

for the middle and exterior columns at the beginning of each test, respectively. Pressure-

regulating valves were intended to maintain approximately constant axial force during the

tests. However, maximum variations of 44% and 15% from the target load at peak demand

were recorded for applied load on the exterior and interior columns, respectively. Note that

the aforementioned variations in applied load happened only in a relatively short period of

time and for most of the duration of the tests, the fluctuation in applied load remained less

than 15%.

Bayhan et al. 10

The laboratory simulation procedures do not correctly simulate all effects expected in a

taller building. Such effects include higher-mode responses, overturning effects, and P-delta

effects. However, the primary purpose was not to conduct a proof test on a six-story building,

but instead to provide physical data for testing analytical modeling and simulation

procedures. The laboratory test specimen is reasonably suited for this purpose.

INPUT BASE MOTIONS

Input base motions were scaled from the north-south (NS) component of the TCU047

accelerogram from the 1999 Chi-Chi Taiwan earthquake (Mw=7.6). Station TCU047

(24.6188o N latitude, 120.9387o longitude) was located 33 km from the surface rupture and

recorded a peak ground acceleration (PGA) of 0.41 g in the NS direction. The ground motion

was time-scaled by the square root of 1/2.25 (in consideration of similitude laws for reduced-

scale specimens) and amplitude-scaled to different amplitudes for different tests. In four

shaking table tests the peak table accelerations were recorded as 0.25g, 0.84g, 1.11g, and

1.36g. Figure 7 shows the measured table motion for the 0.84g test and the linear response

spectra (3% damping) for each of the four tests.

Time (sec.)

25 30 35 40 45 50

Acc

eler

atio

n (g

)

-1.5

-1.0

-0.5

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

0.84g

Period (sec.)

0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0

Spec

tral

acc

eler

atio

n (g

)

0

2

4

6

8

0.25g Test0.84g Test1.11g Test1.36g Test

ξ = 3%

Constant Velocity Region

T f=0.2

9 s

(a) (b)

Figure 7 (a) Base acceleration history recorded on the shaking table for the 0.84g Test and (b) Linear response spectra (3% damping) for the four base motions recorded on the shaking table. (Tf: fundamental period of the test frame)

OBSERVED RESPONSE

Dynamic response of the test structure and its resulting damage were recorded for each of

the four sequential earthquake simulations. Comprehensive observations during the tests and

details of damage to the specimen can be found in the study by Yavari (2011).

Bayhan et al. 11

Figure 8 shows typical results obtained during the second test, during which peak base

acceleration reached 0.84g. The smooth, synchronized appearance of the waveforms suggests

that response was dominated by an apparent first mode, which might be expected considering

the large mass concentrated at Level 2 in the test setup. Based on white noise tests conducted

before the 0.84g test, the period of vibration was approximately 0.29 s. Estimating the

effective period as the time between zero crossings in Figure 8, the effective period had

elongated to approximately 0.46 s at the end of the test, suggesting that the effective

flexibility of the structure had increased by a factor of (0.46/0.29)2 = 2.5.

-505

-2.50.02.5

0.84g Test data

-1000

100

25 30 35 40 45 50

-0.750.000.75

Time (sec.)

(a) Level 2 displacement, cm

(b) Level 1 displacement, cm

(c) Base shear, kN

(d) Level 2 acceleration, g

Figure 8 Measured response histories for 0.84g test (a) 2nd level displacement relative to the base, (b) 1st level displacement relative to the base, (c) base shear, and (d) 2nd level acceleration,

Figure 9 plots relations among peak displacements, peak base shears, and peak base

accelerations measured for each of the four earthquake simulations. Level 2 peak

displacement (relative to the base) increased approximately linearly with increasing peak

base acceleration, which is not unexpected for a reinforced concrete oscillator having

fundamental period in the essentially constant velocity region of the response spectrum

(Figure 7b). In contrast, the relation between peak base shear and peak displacement is highly

nonlinear and suggests that the structure had reached its apparent base-shear strength during

0.84g test and was degrading in strength with subsequent shaking.

Bayhan et al. 12

Level 2 peak displacement, mm

0 50 100 150

PGA

, g

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

0.25g Test

1.11g Test

0.84g Test

1.36g Test

Level 2 peak displacement, mm

0 50 100 150

Peak

bas

e sh

ear,

kN

0

50

100

150

200

0.25g Test

1.11g Test0.84g Test

1.36g Test

(a) (b)

Figure 9 Relations between (a) peak base acceleration and Level 2 peak displacement, and (b) peak base shear and Level 2 peak displacement. Peak quantities are the maximum absolute values of the respective quantities recorded during a test.

The test structure was examined visually following each earthquake simulation.

Following the 0.25g test, no cracks were observed on the test structure. In the 0.84g test,

flexural cracks developed at the bottom of first-story columns and diagonal cracks developed

in the Level 1 joints (Figure 10a). The largest residual crack widths were 0.9 mm, 0.2 mm,

and 0.6 mm in joints A1, B1, and C1, respectively. These diagonal cracks propagated into the

top of the first-story columns and, to a lesser extent, into the transverse stubs of joints A1 and

C1. During the 1.11 g test, the extent of flexural cracking in the first-story columns increased,

the cover concrete at the bottom of column B1 partially spalled, and minor flexural cracking

occurred at the top of column B2. Inclined crack residual widths increased to 2.0 mm and 0.8

mm in joints A1 and B1, with no apparent increase in joint C1 (Figure 10b). In the final test

(1.36g test), inclined cracking in joints B1 and C1 increased and joint A1 sustained severe

damage (Figure 10c). The observed damage is consistent with the expected inelastic

mechanism.

Bayhan et al. 13

0.84g Test 1.1g Test 1.36g Test

Jo

int A

1

Join

t B1

Join

t C1

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 10 Damage in first-level joints A1, B1, and C1 after the (a) 0.84 g, (b) 1.11 g, and (c) 1.36 g tests.

Bayhan et al. 14

ANALYTICAL MODELS OF THE SIMULATION

Three analytical models were developed without considering the shaking table test results

in order to provide a “blind” comparison of the measured and analytical results and to

objectively evaluate the accuracy of existing procedures. Analytical models were

implemented in the software platform OpenSees (2005) based on as-built geometrical and

material properties of the test structure. The first model follows the linear modeling

recommendations of ASCE 41 (2008), the second model introduces nonlinear column

elements with slip springs to represent column behavior, and the third model is the same as

the second model but with relatively simple nonlinear rotational springs at joints representing

the expected shear force-deformation relationship of the joint. More refined models likely

could be developed by “tuning” the model to obtain improved correlation; development of

such “tuned” models, however, is not pursued in this study.

For each analytical model, numerical response simulations were conducted by subjecting

the analytical model sequentially to the four measured shaking table motions, with time

between each shaking table motion to allow the analytical model to come to rest. Thus, the

analytical models accumulated damage from one test to the next in a manner similar to the

sequence that occurred during the shaking table tests. Analyses of white noise test data (after

applying the pre-stress axial load on the columns and before subjecting to ground motion

records) indicated that the equivalent viscous damping value was approximately 3% of

critical. Therefore, Rayleigh damping was introduced to the all models through mass and

stiffness-proportional coefficients resulting in 3% damping ratio for the first and second

modes.

MODEL 1 - LINEARLY ELASTIC MODEL

The first analytical model (Model 1) implements the linear modeling recommendations of

ASCE 41 (2008). The model (Figure 11) consists of linear-elastic line elements connected at

the joints. Beam and column flexural stiffnesses are reduced from gross-section values to

account approximately for effects of concrete cracking and reinforcement slip from adjacent

anchorages. Following the ASCE 41 procedures, effective stiffnesses of beams, exterior

columns (P/ fc'Ag = 0.1), and interior columns (P/ fc'Ag = 0.2) are defined as 0.3EcIg, 0.3EcIg

and 0.4EcIg, respectively, where Ec is concrete modulus of elasticity and Ig is the gross

section moment of inertia. Effects of joint shear deformations are approximated by extending

the column flexibility into the joint as prescribed by ASCE 41 for ΣMnc/ΣMnb < 0.8, where

Bayhan et al. 15

ΣMnc and ΣMnb are the sums of the nominal moment strengths of the columns and beams,

respectively, at a beam-column connection. Beam elements are taken as rigid within the

dimensions of the joint. Footings and supporting load cells also are modeled, though their

flexibility is found to be negligible. Beams and supported lead are considered as point gravity

loads and lumped masses at the beam nodes. Inertial mass of the inertial mass wagons is also

considered.

0.3E

cIg

0.3E

cIg

0.4E

cIg

0.4E

cIg

0.3E

cIg

0.3E

cIg

A B C

0.3E cIg 0.3E cIg

0.3E cIg 0.3E cIg

Rigid end zone Linear element

Figure 11 Model 1 implements the linear modeling recommendations of ASCE 41 (2008)

The calculated fundamental period of Model 1 is 0.36 s, which is longer than the initial

period of 0.29 s (estimated from a white noise test after the first earthquake simulation test).

The longer calculated period is expected, because the structure responded well below the

yield point at this stage of testing whereas the ASCE 41 (2008) modeling procedures are

intended to model response near the yield point. During subsequent earthquake simulations,

the calculated period was shorter than the ever elongating apparent periods achieved during

those tests. Because the vibration period of the analytical model did not match the apparent

periods in any of the tests, it is not surprising that the calculated displacement waveforms

mismatched all the measured displacement waveforms (Figure 12).

Bayhan et al. 16

Leve

l 2 r

elat

ive

disp

lace

men

t, c

m-505

MeasuredCalculated

-505

-10-505

10

25 30 35 40 45 50

-10-505

10

Time (sec.)

(a) 0.25g test

(b) 0.84g test

(c) 1.11g test

(d) 1.36g test

Figure 12 Measured and calculated (Model 1) relative displacement response histories for Level 2 measured during (a) 0.25 g, (b) 0.84 g, (c) 1.11 g, and (d) 1.36 g tests.

Base shears were over-estimated for all tests (Table 2). This is expected for the second,

third, and fourth tests, because the analytical model assumed linear behavior whereas for

those tests the base shear was limited by nonlinear response.

Table 2 Measured and calculated absolute max. base accelerations(PBA), Level 2 displacements (Δ2), Level 1 displacements (Δ1), base shears (Vb), and Level 2 accelerations (A2) for all models (M1 = Model 1; M2 = Model 2; M3 = Model 3) and earthquake simulations. All displacements are measured relative to the base. Accelerations are absolute. Errors (%) shown below the calculated values in gray color are calculated as the absolute value of (calculated – measured)/measured for each quantity.

(mm) (mm) (kN) (g)(g) (mm) (mm) (kN) (g) M1 M2 M3 M1 M2 M3 M1 M2 M3 M1 M2 M3

0.25 9 7 75.3 0.46 26 10 13 11 5 7 112 79 77 0.81 0.50 0.50186 13 41 69 20 1 48 5 2 77 9 8

0.84 70 42 181 1.2 77 42 75 33 23 39 330 216 154 2.34 1.39 1.079 40 8 21 44 6 82 19 15 95 16 11

1.11 74 42 158 1.07 103 64 89 44 40 45 446 237 132 3.11 1.60 0.9738 13 19 6 3 9 182 50 17 191 50 9

1.36 101 57 140 1.03 125 115 100 54 81 51 538 262 119 3.76 1.75 0.9824 15 1 6 43 11 285 88 15 263 69 5

Δ2 Δ1 Vb

Measured CalculatedVb A2Δ2 Δ1

A2PBA

Bayhan et al. 17

MODEL 2 – NONLINEAR COLUMN MODEL

An apparent shortcoming in Model 1 is that all components were modeled as being

linear-elastic whereas the test structure responded inelastically for some of the tests. As a first

step in modeling inelastic response, Model 2 introduces nonlinear elements for the columns,

including linear springs to represent rigid body rotations associated with reinforcement slip

from anchorages. Beams were expected to respond in the effectively linear range of response,

so they are modeled using linear elements with effective flexural stiffness 0.3EcIg as in Model

1. Joints are assumed rigid along beam and column depths. Figure 13 depicts the model

configuration.

NC

NC

NC

NC

NC

NC

A B C

0.3E cIg 0.3E cIg

0.3E cIg 0.3E cIg

Rigid end zone Linear element Slip spring

NC Nonlinear column

Figure 13 Model 2 implements linear beam elements, nonlinear column elements, and linear slip springs at both ends of columns.

Column flexure is represented by force-based, fiber nonlinear beam-column elements

with five integration points. The formulation of these elements assumes that plane sections

remain plane and normal to the longitudinal axis at each integration point. Spread of

plasticity is modeled using the Gauss-Lobatto quadrature rule through the element presented

in Spacone et al. (1996). Column shear deformations are ignored. Unconfined concrete and

confined concrete are modeled using the stress-strain model of Mander et al. (1998).

Confined concrete strength was calculated as 43.5 MPa. Longitudinal reinforcement is

modeled using a hysteretic material with tri-linear backbone (OpenSees 2005).

Zero length linear-elastic section elements are added to both ends of columns to simulate

rotations due to slip of reinforcement from adjacent anchorages. The rotational stiffness of

the slip springs, kslip, is calculated by assuming a constant bond stress of u = 0.8 'cf (MPa)

Bayhan et al. 18

along the column longitudinal bars within the footings and the beam-column joints until the

calculated stress drops to zero, estimating bar slip as the total elongation of the bar along this

stressed anchorage length, and assuming section rotation occurs about the cracked section

neutral axis. With these assumptions, the rotational spring stiffness is (Elwood and Eberhard,

2009)

flex

ybyybslip EI

fd

uM

fd

uk

88 004.0 ==φ

(2)

where db is the nominal diameter of the longitudinal reinforcement, fy is the longitudinal

reinforcement yield stress, M0.004 is the calculated moment strength corresponding to strain

0.004 in the extreme compression fiber of concrete, φy is the yield curvature for the cracked

section, and EIflex is effective flexural rigidity of the cracked section.

The fundamental period of vibration of Model 2 (0.28 s) is shorter than that of Model 1

(0.36 s), and very close to the initial period of 0.29 s measured in white noise tests. The

calculated responses for the 0.25 and 0.84g tests are relatively well synchronized with the

measured responses (Figures 14a and 14b).

-505

-505

-10-505

10

25 30 35 40 45 50

-10-505

10

MeasuredCalculated

Leve

l 2 re

lativ

e di

spla

cem

ent,

cm

Time (sec.)

(a) 0.25g test

(b) 0.84g test

(c) 1.11g test

(d) 1.36g test

Figure 14 Measured and calculated (Model 2) relative displacement response histories for Level 2 measured during (a) 0.25 g, (b) 0.84 g, (c) 1.11 g, and (d) 1.36 g tests.

Bayhan et al. 19

For subsequent earthquake simulation tests in which joint cracking increased, however,

the apparent period of the analytical model with rigid joints is shorter than the apparent

period of the test structure, such that calculated and measured waveforms are poorly

synchronized (Figures 14c and 14d). As summarized in Table 2, estimates of peak

displacement are inconsistent especially for the 0.84g test. The calculated errors are 40% and

44% for Level 2 and Level 1 displacements, respectively. Peak base shears were fairly

estimated for the 0.25g and 0.84g earthquake simulations. For the 1.11g and 1.36g tests,

however, the calculated base shears exceeded the measured values by a considerable margin.

MODEL 3 – NONLINEAR COLUMN AND JOINT MODEL

Test photographs (Figure 10) show that beam-column joints of the test structure sustained

notable damage during earthquake simulations. Model 3, illustrated in Figure 15, was

developed from Model 2 by adding a nonlinear beam-column joint element to represent

observed behavior in the first-level joints.

The scissors model proposed by Alath and Kunnath (1995) was implemented because it

offered essential features of nonlinear behavior while using a relatively simple analytical

representation. In the scissors model, the finite size of the joint panel is modeled by two rigid

links interconnected by an inelastic rotational spring. When the spring is subjected to

moment, the rigid links rotate relative to one another at an angle that represents the shear

distortion of the beam-column joint.

A B C

Rigid end zoneLinear element

0.3 EcIg 0.3 EcIg

NC

NC

NC

NC

NC

NC

0.3 EcIg 0.3 EcIgSlip springNonlinear columnNCJoint spring

Figure 15 Model 3 implements linear beam elements, nonlinear column elements, linear slip springs at column ends, and nonlinear joint springs at Level 1.

Bayhan et al. 20

The relation between moment Mj at the center of the joint and the nominal joint shear

stress τjh is (Celik, 2007):

c

bcjhjhj

Ljd

LhAM

1/11

−−

= τ

(3)

where nominal joint shear stress τjh and joint area Ajh are calculated according to ACI 318

(2011), hc is the column depth parallel to the beam span, Lb and Lc are the total length of the

beams and columns, respectively, and jd is the internal moment arm of the beam (assumed

constant throughout the test).

The relative rotation of the two rigid links in the scissors model represents the change in

angle between two adjacent edges of the panel zone assumed to exist in the beam-column

connection. Thus, rotation of the spring equals the joint shear strain, that is,

jj γθ =

(4)

Pinching4 hysteretic material, a uniaxial material model proposed by Lowes and Altoontash

(2003) and implemented in OpenSees (2005), was used to model the hysteretic behavior of

the joint spring. It has a multi-linear envelope exhibiting degradation and a tri-linear

unloading-reloading path representing a pinched hysteresis.

The moment-rotation envelope relationship for the pinching4 material was determined

empirically from the previous laboratory tests reported by Pantelides et al. (2002a) and

Walker (2001). Mean values of τjh and γ were chosen from the reported experimental results.

These tests were selected from among other test data because the tested joints were deemed

most similar to those in the shaking table specimen. None of the selected test units had any

transverse reinforcement in the panel zone. The beam bottom bars were continuous and axial

load level in the joint was 0.1fc'Ag. However, it is noted that the columns in the tests of

Walker (2001) were stronger than the beams (contrary to the shaking table specimen) and the

column axial stresses were lower than those in the shaking table specimen. For the exterior

columns; test unit 3 from Pantelides et al. (2002a) was taken as being representative of joints

in the shaking table structure. In this joint, beam bottom bars were extended 360mm (14 in.)

into the joint having a width of 400mm (16 in.), resulting in good anchorage of the bottom

bars.

Bayhan et al. 21

The pinching4 backbone parameters suggested by Celik and Ellingwood (2009) for

nonductile joints were adopted in this study; namely:

uforceP = uForceN = -0.10 (5)

rForceP = rDispP = rForceN = rDispN = 0.15

The current study also adopted, without calibration, the pinching4 cyclic stiffness and

strength degradation parameters used for examples in the Opensees Manual (2005). Since the

blind test is intended to evaluate the accuracy of existing procedures; no adjustment was

made to improve goodness of fit for the test structure.

Figure 16 illustrates the resulting hysteresis obtained for Joint A1 in analysis of the test

structure subjected to the 0.84g table motion. The obtained hysteresis is similar to that

commonly observed for unreinforced joints, within the limits of the analytical model, and

suggests that the model was reasonably implemented in the simulation. Joint instrumentation

during this test indicated peak negative joint shear strain of -0.015, which is close to the peak

negative value obtained in the joint analytical model.

Figure 16 Behavior of the moment-rotation spring at joint A1 for the 0.84g test

Figure 17 shows the measured and calculated Level 2 relative displacement histories for

the four sequential earthquake simulations. The analytical results closely follow the measured

displacement histories from the beginning of the test through the time of maximum response

(around 35 s), with poorer correlation in the subsequent lower-amplitude response.

Bayhan et al. 22

-505

-505

-10-505

10

25 30 35 40 45 50

-10-505

10

MeasuredCalculated

Leve

l 2 r

elat

ive

disp

lace

men

t, c

m

Time (sec.)

(a) 0.25g test

(b) 0.84g test

(c) 1.11g test

(d) 1.36g test

Figure 17 Measured and calculated (Model 3) relative displacement response histories for Level 2 measured during (a) 0.25 g, (b) 0.84 g, (c) 1.11 g, and (d) 1.36 g tests.

Figure 18 compares the measured and calculated base shear response histories for the

0.84g test for all models. Model 3, which includes column and joint nonlinear models,

produces consistently more accurate results than either of Models 1 or 2. Similarly good

correlation was obtained by Model 3 for the other earthquake simulations (not shown).

-300-150

0150300

-1500

150

25 30 35 40 45 50-300-150

0150300

Time (sec.)

MeasuredCalculated

Base

she

ar, k

N

(a) Model 1

(b) Model 2

(c) Model 3

0.84g test

Figure 18 Measured and calculated base shear response histories measured during the 0.84g Test for (a) Model 1 (b) Model 2 (c) Model 3.

Bayhan et al. 23

Although Model 3 analysis results match the measured results fairly well, the peak base

shears were consistently underestimated. It is possible that this strength difference may be

related to the strain rate. Dynamic tests on reinforcing steel (Malvar 1998) have shown yield

strength increase on the order of 20% for the strain rates achieved during these tests (around

0.14/s). Although dynamic loading similarly affects concrete strength, the effects on strength

of beam-column joints are unknown. It is also plausible that other inaccuracies in the models

used to estimate column and beam-column joint strengths were at cause. It is not possible to

isolate the source with the available data.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

Shaking table tests were conducted on a 1/2.25 scale, planar, two-bay by two-story

reinforced concrete frame without transverse reinforcement in the first-level beam-column

joints. During the shaking tests, the joints sustained considerable damage indicating

occurrence of inelastic joint response. Analytical models of the test structure were developed

based on recommendations of ASCE 41 (2008). The analytical models and their analyses

used measured geometries, material properties, and input base motions, but otherwise the

analyses were intended as “blind analyses” in the sense that “tuning” of model parameters to

improve correlation was not pursued. Within the limitations of these tests and analyses, the

following conclusions are made:

1. The test structure responded essentially elastically for a first shaking test (0.25g peak base

acceleration). During subsequent tests, the response was highly nonlinear. As was

intended during the design phase, damage to the components suggested that inelastic

behavior was concentrated mainly in the first-story beam-column joints.

2. A linear model incorporating stiffness modeling recommendations of ASCE 41 (2008) had

fundamental period longer than the effective period measured during the 0.25g test. The

longer calculated period is attributed to the ASCE 41 member effective stiffnesses, which

are intended to represent response near yield, whereas the structure responded well below

the yield point in that test. The calculated period was shorter than the apparent period

during subsequent tests. Consequently, the analytical simulation using Model 1 did not

match well with the measured simulations for any of the tests.

3. The addition of nonlinear column models to the analytical model improved the correlation

with all tests, but the model was too stiff and strong for shaking tests that drove the

structure well into the inelastic range of response.

Bayhan et al. 24

4. The addition of a relatively simple nonlinear joint model produced excellent correlation

with all four shaking tests. This study confirms the importance of incorporating effects of

joint nonlinearity in analytical models for buildings with weak beam-column joints.

Furthermore, the analytical implementation used in this study was demonstrated to be

effective for the limited conditions in which it was applied.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This study was funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation as part of the NEES

Grand Challenge Project on Mitigation of Collapse Risk in Vulnerable Concrete Buildings,

under Award No. 0618804 to the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center,

University of California, Berkeley. The laboratory tests were funded in part by the National

Science Council of Taiwan under Award No. NSC94-2625-Z-492-005. The funding,

facilities, and technical support from the National Center for Research on Earthquake

Engineering of Taiwan are gratefully acknowledged. All opinions expressed are solely those

of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the funding agencies.

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