Seismic behavior of RC-SMF and IMF corner beam–column connections subjected to unidirectional and bidirectional lateral loads

Abstract

Failure of beam–column connections can lead to partial and complete building collapse during severe earthquakes. Corner beam–column connections may be more vulnerable during earthquakes because they must withstand bidirectional loading transferred from nearby beams and columns. Furthermore, horizontal torsion exacerbates the damage to corner beam–column connections compared with other components. The objective of this study is to explore the seismic performance of corner beam–column connections in reinforced concrete intermediate moment frames (IMFs) and special moment frames (SMFs). Four full-scale beam–column connection specimens are fabricated and tested under two different loading types (unidirectional and bidirectional loading). It is observed that the strength and deformation capacity of the specimens were strongly affected by the type of loading (unidirectional and bidirectional lateral loading) and the reinforcement details (SMF, IMF). All corner connection specimens failed by joint shear failure irrespective of loading type and reinforcement detail.