Effect of Joint Flexibility on Seismic Performance of a Reinforced Concrete Ductile Moment-Resisting Frame

Currently, the seismic collapse risk of modern code-conforming reinforced concrete (RC) frame structures is often evaluated without considering behavior beam-column (BC) joints since designed to meet design codes are assumed be sufficiently rigid. BC in RC ductile moment frames may undergo a significant amount inclined cracking during strong earthquakes. Consequently, stiffness, strength, and dynamic characteristics vary. Hence, rigid joint assumption unsuitable for assessing performances because local strength ductility demands constituent members can misinterpreted by structural analyses based on joint. In this study, nonlinear static conducted quantify response variations low- midrise RC-frame under different modeling assumptions. total, six 2D continuum finite element models four- eight-story with flexible were constructed simulating actual as realistically possible. The results indicate that interior considered suffer light-to-moderate damage, effect found four-story structure whose column-to-beam flexural ratio area below 1.5. Such demonstrates current code provisions cannot ensure compatible used practical analysis buildings.