This paper provides an overview of the design of external, reinforced concrete beam-column joints for monotonic 1oading.There is little consensus over the variables that influence joint behaviour. Existing test data are analysed to determine the influence of factors, including concrete strength, column loading, joint aspect ratio, reinforcement detailing, and joint stirrups, on joint shear strength. The most significant conclusions are that joint shear strength reduces with increasing joint aspect ratio and is increased by joint stirrups, but by less than is commonly assumed. The conclusion that joint shear strength is dependent on joint aspect ratio is at variance with many design recommendations, including EC 8 and ACI/ASCE Committee 352.
A new design method is proposed for external beam-column joints based on a comprehensive analysis of all existing test data. The proposed design method is compared with other design methods and is shown to be more realistic.
R.L. Vollum and J.B. Newman