Assessment of a Substandard Reinforced Concrete Frame’s Beam–Column Joint Using Shake Table Testing

This study investigates the seismic performance of substandard reinforced concrete (RC) frames, particularly emphasizing the behavior of beam–column joints through comprehensive shake table testing. Historical evidence indicates that RC structures erected prior to the 1970s frequently exhibit critic...

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Main Authors: Evrim Oyguc, Resat Oyguc, Abdul Hayir
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/8/4168
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author Evrim Oyguc
Resat Oyguc
Abdul Hayir
author_facet Evrim Oyguc
Resat Oyguc
Abdul Hayir
author_sort Evrim Oyguc
collection DOAJ
description This study investigates the seismic performance of substandard reinforced concrete (RC) frames, particularly emphasizing the behavior of beam–column joints through comprehensive shake table testing. Historical evidence indicates that RC structures erected prior to the 1970s frequently exhibit critical deficiencies in shear reinforcement, significantly undermining their seismic resilience. The primary objective of this research is to experimentally quantify the shear capacity, deformability, and failure mechanisms of beam–column joints within substandard RC frames. Shake table experiments were conducted on a meticulously scaled (one-third scale), single-story, single-bay RC frame, representative of construction practices typical of 1980s Türkiye. The input seismic loading was derived and scaled from the recorded ground motions of the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake to ensure realistic seismic demand conditions. Experimental outcomes revealed a maximum lateral displacement of 53.1 mm, corresponding to a story drift ratio of approximately 0.055 radians and a computed damage index of 0.758, indicative of near-collapse performance levels. Notable damage observations included extensive shear cracking and concrete spalling at beam–column interfaces, accompanied by pronounced pinching effects during cyclic loading. The findings emphasize an urgent need for targeted seismic retrofit solutions, specifically addressing shear vulnerabilities in beam–column joints. Furthermore, the results carry substantial implications for revising current seismic design codes and enhancing the earthquake resilience of existing RC infrastructure in seismic-prone regions.
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spelling doaj-art-98b4d2d73096431693bdbd53bf3fc74a2025-08-20T02:17:19ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-04-01158416810.3390/app15084168Assessment of a Substandard Reinforced Concrete Frame’s Beam–Column Joint Using Shake Table TestingEvrim Oyguc0Resat Oyguc1Abdul Hayir2Institute of Disaster Management, Istanbul Technical University, 34469 Istanbul, TurkeyInstitute of Disaster Management, Istanbul Technical University, 34469 Istanbul, TurkeyCivil Engineering Department, Istanbul Technical University, 34469 Istanbul, TurkeyThis study investigates the seismic performance of substandard reinforced concrete (RC) frames, particularly emphasizing the behavior of beam–column joints through comprehensive shake table testing. Historical evidence indicates that RC structures erected prior to the 1970s frequently exhibit critical deficiencies in shear reinforcement, significantly undermining their seismic resilience. The primary objective of this research is to experimentally quantify the shear capacity, deformability, and failure mechanisms of beam–column joints within substandard RC frames. Shake table experiments were conducted on a meticulously scaled (one-third scale), single-story, single-bay RC frame, representative of construction practices typical of 1980s Türkiye. The input seismic loading was derived and scaled from the recorded ground motions of the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake to ensure realistic seismic demand conditions. Experimental outcomes revealed a maximum lateral displacement of 53.1 mm, corresponding to a story drift ratio of approximately 0.055 radians and a computed damage index of 0.758, indicative of near-collapse performance levels. Notable damage observations included extensive shear cracking and concrete spalling at beam–column interfaces, accompanied by pronounced pinching effects during cyclic loading. The findings emphasize an urgent need for targeted seismic retrofit solutions, specifically addressing shear vulnerabilities in beam–column joints. Furthermore, the results carry substantial implications for revising current seismic design codes and enhancing the earthquake resilience of existing RC infrastructure in seismic-prone regions.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/8/4168shake table testingsubstandard RC framesseismic resiliencedamage index
spellingShingle Evrim Oyguc
Resat Oyguc
Abdul Hayir
Assessment of a Substandard Reinforced Concrete Frame’s Beam–Column Joint Using Shake Table Testing
Applied Sciences
shake table testing
substandard RC frames
seismic resilience
damage index
title Assessment of a Substandard Reinforced Concrete Frame’s Beam–Column Joint Using Shake Table Testing
title_full Assessment of a Substandard Reinforced Concrete Frame’s Beam–Column Joint Using Shake Table Testing
title_fullStr Assessment of a Substandard Reinforced Concrete Frame’s Beam–Column Joint Using Shake Table Testing
title_full_unstemmed Assessment of a Substandard Reinforced Concrete Frame’s Beam–Column Joint Using Shake Table Testing
title_short Assessment of a Substandard Reinforced Concrete Frame’s Beam–Column Joint Using Shake Table Testing
title_sort assessment of a substandard reinforced concrete frame s beam column joint using shake table testing
topic shake table testing
substandard RC frames
seismic resilience
damage index
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/8/4168
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AT resatoyguc assessmentofasubstandardreinforcedconcreteframesbeamcolumnjointusingshaketabletesting
AT abdulhayir assessmentofasubstandardreinforcedconcreteframesbeamcolumnjointusingshaketabletesting