Analytical investigation on the seismic performance of slabs in RC frame joints

Abstract

Analytical investigations were carried out to investigate the effect of slabs in accurately capturing the non-linear cyclic response of slab–beam–column subassemblies. The analyses were performed using the finite-element program Ruaumoko, employing only default or typical material constitutive models and behaviour mechanisms in order to assess analysis capabilities without the need for additional modelling techniques or program modifications. Verification of the model was carried out covering a wide range of conditions including interior and exterior beam–column subassemblies. It is shown that the computational analysis can achieve good accuracy in determining the strength, deformation response, energy dissipation and beam elongation/relaxation of reinforced concrete (RC) slab–beam–column subassemblies under seismic loading conditions.