Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (FRC) Encased Steel Joints for Seismic Resistance

Abstract

This paper reports the results of an investigation on the performance of FRC-encased open web steel joints under cyclic loading. The system completely eliminates the need for any shear connectors between steel joints and surrounding FRC as well as that for conventional longitudinal and transverse reinforcing bars, all of which are labor intensive. Cyclic load tests on some half-scale specimens consisting of composite beams with end connections were carried out. The parameters included the configuration of web steel elements, and the amount of steel in longitudinal and web elements of the joints.