Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Beam-Column Connections

A nonlinear finite element analysis is used to investigate the behavior of exterior and interior beam-column joints. The model has been calibrated using the results of the third author's tests. The behavior of exterior beam-column joints turned out to be different from that of interior connections. The parameters influencing the shear strength are not the same for both types of connections. The main parameters influencing the shear strength of exterior beam-column connections such as the joint slenderness, the column reinforcement ratio, the compressive concrete strength, the efficiency of the beam reinforcement anchorage, and the amount and the efficiency of the shear reinforcement are investigated. For interior beam-column joints, the main factor affecting the shear strength turned out to be the concrete compressive strength. A comparison is also done with proposed shear strength equations.