Dynamic Shear and Axial-Load Failure of Reinforced Concrete Columns

Abstract

Reinforced concrete columns with light transverse reinforcement may be susceptible to shear and subsequent axial-load failures during strong earthquake ground shaking. An experimental program examined the behavior of two half-scale, one-story frames with axial loads representative of those expected for the lower story of a multistory building. The frames were subjected to unidirectional simulated earthquake motion applied at the base. Shear failures of an interior column led to axial-load failure and redistribution of internal forces to adjacent framing components. Recorded data illustrated the details of the shear and axial failures and the redistribution to adjacent components. This paper discusses the global response of the frames and the shear and axial-load response of the shear-critical interior column.