EVALUATION OF THE SHEAR STRENGTH OF BEAM-COLUMN JOINTS OF REINFORCED CONCRETE FRAMES SUBJECTED TO EARTHQUAKE LOADING

Since 1967, when Hanson and Conner [1967] carried out the first seismic loading test on a beamcolumn joint of a reinforced concrete moment resisting frame, the importance of the design of beam-column joints has been recognised in the seismic design recommendations in different building standards. Recent earthquakes have strengthened the need for properly reinforcing beamcolumn joints to avoid partial or total structural collapse in large events and to avoid irreparable damage in moderate events. It is interesting to note that 30 years after the first test, and after a great deal of experimental work, recommendations for the design of beam-column joints in different design standards still have many discrepancies. This difference can be partly attributed to the difficulties in identifying the main parameters that affect the behaviour of joints.