Plastic Hinge Model for Performance-Based Design of Beam-Column Joints

Abstract

For performance-based design of reinforced concrete moment frames, the inelastic load-displacement relationship including strength degradation of beam-column joints should be accurately defined. In this study, a simplified design equation for joint shear strength was developed, addressing the effects of the target story drift ratio, beam rebar detail, joint configuration ratio, and joint hoops. Using the proposed method, a plastic hinge element was developed for nonlinear numerical analysis of beam-column connections. The proposed model was applied to existing interior and exterior beam-column joint specimens with or without joint hoops. The predicted lateral load-drift ratio relationships were compared with the test results and current design models. An existing cyclic behavior model was also implemented in the proposed plastic hinge model for time history analysis.