The Response of Angle Steel Skeleton-Reinforced Concrete Beams to Low-Cycle and Static Loads

Abstract

The conventional reinforced concrete beam exhibits limitations in terms of bearing capacity, intricate construction procedures, and substantial labor requirements. In response to these challenges, a novel approach featuring an Angle Steel Skeleton (ASS) for concrete reinforcement has been proposed. In this study, four concrete beam specimens along with two beam-column joint specimens were meticulously prepared for static loading tests and low-cycle loading tests. The bending performance of the innovative structure, Angle Steel Skeleton-Reinforced Concrete Beam (ASSB), was comprehensively analyzed through static loading testing. Furthermore, formulations were developed to calculate the stiffness and bearing capacity of ASSB. Employing the finite element method, an examination was conducted to elucidate the influence of factors such as shear span ratio, concrete strength, and angle steel strength on the bearing capacity of concrete beams. Building upon the aforementioned investigations, the seismic performance and mechanical response of Angle Steel Skeleton-Concrete Beam-Column Joints (ASSJ) was investigated through low-cycle loading tests. An in-depth analysis was conducted to establish the correlation between the axial compression ratio and steel skeleton stress. Results from the research indicate that the adoption of ASS in lieu of steel cages results in a substantial enhancement in the ultimate bearing capacity of concrete beams, ranging from 29% to 36.6%. Additionally, there is a twofold increase in energy dissipation capacity, accompanied by a 14% increase in ductility. Notably, ASSJ specimens exhibit superior seismic performance, particularly in low-intensity seismic zones.