Application of Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete in Seismic Beam-Column Joints
By Michael Gebman
Masters Thesis, San Diego State University, 2001


Abstract:
The research program for this thesis studies the benefits of using steel fiber reinforced concrete in seismic-resistant beam-column joints. By using SFRC in a beam-column joint, some of the difficulties associated with joint construction can be overcome and a greater seismic strength can be provided. Two half-scale joints were constructed to reflect current building code, two SFRC joints were constructed with a hoop spacing increased by 50%, and two SFRC joints were constructed with a hoop increased by 100%. Hooked-end steel fibers with a length of 1.2-in (31-mm), a diameter of 0.020-in (0.50-mm) and an aspect ratio of 60 were used at a volume fraction of 2%. After simulating a quasi-static earthquake loading, the SFRC joints were found to have dissipated more energy than the conventional joints. A 90% increase in energy absorption was found for SFRC joints with hoop spacing increased by 100%. A 173% increase in energy absorption was found for SFRC joints with hoop spacing increased by 50%. It was also found that joint bar reinforcement became more effective in the SFRC joints because of increased bar strains recorded during the simulated quasi-static earthquake loading.