Author: Süleyman Kamil AKIN, Nail KARA
Publishing Date: 2006
E-ISSN: 2147-9364
Volume: 21 Issue: 1_2
ABSTRACT:
In an earthquake the energy should be dissipated by structural elements. The energy concentrated in beam-column connections. As a result of this, the concrete in the connection zone should not break, collapse and should stay stiff for no reduction in the load bearing capacity of connection. Because of this all codes forces design engineer and constructor to continue stirrups in beam or column without break in the connection. While application of reinforcement according to the design in construction stage , to put stirrups in connection is very hard and takes a lot of time also it is very hard to concrete this region also.
This study concerns with the use of hooked steel fibers instead of stirrups in beam column connections. Recent studies made clear that, use of steel fibers increase ductility, stiffness and toughness in concrete. In this study 5 beam-column connections are tested under cyclic loading. First specimen has stirrups in connection zone according to code, the rest have no stirrups but have hooked steel fibers instead in connection zone with varying volumetric ratio 0,000%, 0,250%, 0,375%, 0,500%.
The specimens are tested in Selcuk University Civil Engineering Department Structural Laboratory. Earthquake loads are simulated on the 1/1-scaled specimens and all vertical and horizontal displacements are taken by a dozen of LVDT and this data is sent and saved by the help of an electronic device and computer program. The experimental load – deflection capacities are found and compared.
Key Words: Beam column connection; hooked; steel fibers; cyclic loading