Structural Analysis of RCC Beam-Column Joints and Shear Walls Strengthened with FRP using ANSYS

Abstract

After occurrence of recent earthquakes in the most of world parts, scientific committees for reducing natural disasters and research centers declared based performance design, investigation faults, retrofitting, rehabilitation, new researches are related to strengthening of structures, notice performance, importance of structure, surface of earthquake levels, considering economic and feasibility. One of streningthening method of RC frame is using FRP laminates. Beam and column where intersects is called as joint or junction. The different types of joints are classified as corner joint, exterior joint, interior joint etc. on beam column joint applying quasi-static loading on cantilever end of the beam. and study of various parameters as to be find out on corner and exterior beam column joint i.e. maximum stress, minimum stress, displacement and variation in stiffness of beam-column joint can be analyzed in Ansys software (FEM Software) RC shear walls are considered one of the main lateral resisting members in buildings. In recent years, FRP has been widely utilized in order to strengthen and retrofit concrete structures. Significant experimental research has been conducted over the past three decades on hysteretic behavior of beam-column joints of RC frames under cyclic displacement loading. The various research studies focused on corner and exterior beam column joints and their behavior, support conditions of beam-column joints. Some recent experimental studies, however, addressed beam-column joints of substandard RC frames with weak columns, poor anchorage of longitudinal beam bars and insufficient transverse reinforcement. the behavior of exterior beam column joint is different than the corner beam column joint.

Introduction

Concrete structural components like reinforced concrete (RC) shear walls and beam-column joints are critical in building and bridge safety, especially in seismic regions. Understanding their behavior under loads such as earthquakes and wind is essential for designing efficient, safe structures.

Experimental testing has traditionally been used to study these components but is costly and time-consuming. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) has become the preferred method recently due to advances in computing power and software, allowing faster, more cost-effective modeling of concrete structures. However, FEA results must be validated against experimental data to ensure accuracy.

RC shear walls provide lateral stiffness and strength to resist earthquakes, minimizing deformation and damage. Beam-column joints are crucial in ensuring the integrity of frames during seismic events by preventing brittle failure, stiffness degradation, and excessive drift, which have been linked to past earthquake failures worldwide.

The project focuses on analyzing reinforced concrete beam-column joints using FEA software (ANSYS), calibrated with experimental results to study behavior under transverse loading. The objective is to evaluate FEA's effectiveness in predicting structural responses and improving design.

Research Methodology & Key Concepts:

• Earthquake-resistant design aims to prevent collapse during strong shaking while allowing some damage.

• Beam-column joints must maintain strength, stiffness, and deformation capacity without excessive cracking or bond failure.

• Joints should remain mostly elastic, controlling shear and bond stresses to avoid significant energy dissipation from joint damage.

• Joint design involves determining member sizes, flexural strengths, shear forces, and reinforcement detailing to ensure safety.

• Various load types affect structures: static, quasi-static, cyclic, and dynamic (earthquake-induced shaking).

• Cyclic loading can degrade joint strength and stiffness, requiring detailed analysis to prevent failure.

Finite Element Method Overview:

• FEA divides the structure into small elements connected at nodes.

• Structural properties are calculated for each element and assembled into a global system to solve for displacements and stresses.

• Modeling accuracy depends on proper discretization and load application.

• ANSYS software is used for detailed finite element modeling and analysis of beam-column joints.

Conclusion

In this research work a study of reinforced concrete beams using finite element analysis in order to understand the response of reinforced concrete beams due to transverse loading. The reinforced concrete beam with flexural and shear reinforcement was analyzed to failure and compared to experimental results. The various research studies focused on corner and exterior beam column joints and their behavior, support conditions of beam-column joints. Some recent experimental studies, however, addressed beam-column joints of substandard RC frames with weak columns, poor anchorage of longitudinal beam bars and insufficient transverse reinforcement. the behavior of exterior beam column joint is different than the corner beam column joint.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Ashitosh Sakhare, Prof. V. D. Jayale. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.