Resistance Mechanism Model for Reinforced Concrete FlatSlab-Column Frame Connections

Results of an analytical and theoretical study on reinforced concrete flat slab-column frames connections, subjected to lateral and vertical loads from earthquake and gravity, are presented. The study investigates the plastic behavior, and load transfer and final failure mechanisms. An idealized model of the response is presented, based on observations of tests reported in literature, and particularly on tests carried out by the authors and followed by detailed postmortem dissections of the failure zones. Based on the idealized resistance mechanism model, an analytical method is presented for graphically predicting the entire moment-rotation response envelope of a connection during the different loading stages, detailing the varying relative fractions of the resistance components. The numerical solutions are compared with current calculation methods on full-subassemblage experimental results.