Reverse Cyclic Loading Effect on RCC Wall-Floor Slab-Deep Beam Connection

Abstract

High-rise structures are more vulnerable when subjected to lateral loading. Generally, the shear walls function as the main lateral load resistant system in high-rise structures. In the case of high-rise structures with an open ground story, the shear wall-floor slab-deep beam acts together as a rigid jointed frame connection to withstand gravity and lateral force induced by external loadings like earthquakes and wind. The wall-floor slab-deep beam connection will be subjected to a higher concentration of stresses, which is a more vulnerable area in any high-rise structure. Hence, it is necessary to design this connection with more ductility. This article presents the experimental investigations carried out to study the behavior of three different reinforcement detailing in RCC wall-floor slab-deep beam connections, such as (1) 90° bend up bars connection as per Indian Standard Code (Conventional connection), (2) U-hooks connecting the core region as per Euro code 2, and (3) proposed U-hooks with additional reinforcement in the core region transverse to the beam orientation. The additional reinforcement is provided at a distance of 50 mm from the face of the shear wall. The parameters considered for this study are load-carrying capacity, energy dissipation, ductility, and stiffness. The results were then compared with that of the conventional connection. It was found that the proposed U-hook with additional reinforcement performed better than that of the conventional connection and type 2 connection.