On the Design of Reinforced Concrete Beam-column Joint to

HKConcrete2013

(A short version of the presentation on Wed 9 Sept 2015)

J S Kuang, PhD CEng FICE FIStructE FHKIE

Professor of Civil Engineering
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

HKIE Headquarters
Wed 9 Sept 2015

Typical beam-column connections

y For a plane frame and with respect to the plane of loading, an interior beam-
column joint may consist of two beams on either side of the column and an
exterior beam-column joint may have a beam terminating on one face of the
column, as shown in Fig. 2-2.

interior joint

exterior joint

Fig. 2-2 Interior and exterior beam-

column joints for a plane frame

2
 4.1 Horizontal shear force

{ In Fig. 3-4, the horizontal design shear force of joint (from lateral loads) is
given by
V jh = Tb1 + Cb2 − Vcol (2)

From equilibrium, the compression force at the joint face Cb2 = Tb2; hence

V jh = Tb1 + Tb2 − Vcol (3)

Tc1
Cc1
Vcol
Cb2 Tb1
Vjh Vb1
b b
Vb2
Vjv Cb1
Tb2
V'col
Cc2 Fig. 3-4 Forces in joint core
Tc2
resulting from lateral loads

4.2 Vertical design shear force

y The vertical design shear force may be calculated approximately by

hb
V jv = V jh (4)
hc

where hb is the beam depth, and hc is the column depth in the direction of the
horizontal shear considered.

hc

Vjv

Vjh hb

Vertical design shear force in a joint core 4

 4.3 Steel tension force from moment reinforcement of beams

y At ultimate limit state, tension forces Tb1 and Tb2 from the moment
reinforcement of the beams are taken as

Tb1 = As1 (γ f y ) and Tb 2 = As 2 (γ f y ) (5)

where
{ As1 and As2 are the areas of the tension reinforcement in beams
corresponding to Tb1 and Tb2; and
{ γ is considered as an overstrength factor that accounts for the strain-
hardening effect of reinforcement and increased yield stress. The value of γ
may be taken as
¾ 1.0 for non-seismic design (applicable to non-ductile frames).
¾ 1.25 for seismic design (applicable to ductile frames)

Shear forces in a joint 5

5.1 Design principle

y The strut mechanism (Fig. 5-1a)

{ The strut mechanism transfers shear forces via a diagonal concrete strut that
sustains compression only and is assumed to be inclined at an angle close to
that of the potential corner-to-corner failure plane.

{ The contribution of this mechanism is sometimes

referred to as “the shear carried by the concrete”.

Diagonal
concrete strut

Fig. 5-1 Shear resisting mechanisms of a beam-

column joint (a) Strut mechanism

(Vjh,c is the contribution of the concrete strut mechanism

to transferring horizontal shear in a join core.)

The strut mechanism 6

 5.1 Design principle (cont’d)

y The truss mechanism (Fig. 5-1b)

{ The truss mechanism consists of the contribution to the shear resistance of

the horizontal and vertical reinforcement inside the joint core.
{ This mechanism generates a diagonal compression field and involves the
participation of horizontal reinforcement, vertical
reinforcement, and numerous diagonal concrete
struts.
{ The contribution of this mechanism is often
referred to as “the shear carried by shear
reinforcement”.

Fig. 8.5-1(b) Truss mechanism

(Vjh,s is the contribution of the truss mechanism to

transferring horizontal shear in a join core.)

The truss mechanism 7

5.2 Horizontal joint shear stress

In HKConcret2013: Clause 6.8.1.3,

y The horizontal design joint shear stress is

V jh
v jh = ≤ 0.2 f cu (6)
bjhc
where
0.2fcu is the limit of the joint shear strength;
Vjh = the total horizontal design joint shear force (Eq. 8.1 or Eq. 8.2);
hc = the column depth in the direction of the horizontal shear considered;
bj = the effective joint width as shown in Fig. 8.5-2, taken as
(a) For bc ≥ bw , bj = bc or bw + 0.5hc , whichever is the lesser;
(b) For bc < bw , bj = bw or bc + 0.5hc , whichever is the lesser.

Horizontal joint shear stress 8

 5.2 Horizontal joint shear stress (cont’d)

Fig. 5-2 Effective joint width

5.3 Joint reinforcement

(1) Horizontal joint shear reinforcement (Clause 6.8.1.5)

• The area of total horizontal joint shear reinforcement corresponding with

the direction of the horizontal design joint shear is

V jh ⎛ CjN * ⎞
Ajh = ⎜ 0.5 − ⎟ (7)
0.87 f yh ⎜⎝ 0.8 Ag f cu ⎟⎠

where
Vjh = the total horizontal design shear force across a joint;
fyh = characteristic yield strength of the horizontal joint steel;
N* = minimum design axial load of column (compression: +ve);
Ag = gross area of column section;
Cj = the factor allowing for the beneficial effect of horizontal axial
compression from the beams framing into the joint.

Horizontal joint shear reinforcement 10

 5.3 Joint reinforcement (cont’d)

Values of Cj :

(a) For a three-dimensional joint,

x
y
V jh
Cj = (8)
V jx + V jy

where Vjx and Vjy are the total horizontal joint shear forces in x and y
directions, respectively.

(b) For a two-dimensional joint, Cj = 1.0 (9)

11

5.3 Joint reinforcement (cont’d)

• Detailing for horizontal joint shear reinforcement

a. Types: horizontal closed links or stirrups
{ Bar size </ max{ ¼ diameter of the largest column bar, 6 mm}.
{ Spacing > / min{10φ of the smallest column bar, 200 mm}.
{ Bar bending of links (Fig. 5-3): hook angle ≥ 135º
hook extension </ max{6φ, 60 mm}
{ The horizontal joint shear reinforcement Ajh should not less the
transverse reinforcement in joint.

≥ 135º
6φ, but ≥ 60 mm

Fig. 5-3 Typical configurations of closed links

12
 5.3 Joint reinforcement (cont’d)

b. The horizontal top and bottom joint links should not be placed close to
beam bars, otherwise these links will probably not be effective because
they are placed close to the resultant force T or C.
To ensure both top and bottom joint links are effective, at least a distance of
half the link spacing of joint, svj /2, from beam reinforcement is generally
recommended.

≥ 0.5svj
svj
svj
svj
≥ 0.5svj

Fig. 5-4 Arrangement horizontal top

and bottom links in joint core

13

5.3 Joint reinforcement (cont’d)

(2) Transverse reinforcement in joints is required to provide enough design

strength to resist horizontal joint shear and adequate lateral confinement of
joint core.

o Confinement has two major benefits:

a. The core concrete is strengthened and its strain capacity of the core
concrete is improved.
b. The vertical column bars are prevented from buckling outward.

o The successful performance of a beam-column joint depends strongly on

the lateral confinement of the joint core.

o Confinement can be provided either by transverse joint confinement

reinforcement and by the beams that frame into the joint.

Transverse reinforcement in joints 14

 5.3 Joint reinforcement (cont’d)

o In Clause 6.8.1.7, it is stated that the transverse reinforcement in joints

should not be less than that required in Clause 9.5.2; hence
a. The transverse joint reinforcement should not be less than that
required in the non-critical zone of columns.

critical zone length lo

Clause 9.9.2.2
The critical zone length, lo,
(potential plastic hinge zone) in
columns corresponds to the
column axial load ratio N / (Agfcu).
critical zone length lo

Critical zones in columns

15

5.3 Joint reinforcement (cont’d)

b. For a joint with beams that frame into all four faces of the column, the
transverse joint reinforcement may be reduced to one-half of that
specified in (a).

c. Diameter of the transverse reinforcement should be 6 mm or ¼ the

diameter of the largest longitudinal bar, whichever is the larger.

d. Spacing of the transverse reinforcement in joint core should be 10

times the diameter of the smallest column bars or 200 mm, whichever
is the lesser.

16
 5.3 Joint reinforcement (cont’d)

(3) Vertical joint shear reinforcement (Clause 6.8.1.6)

{ Area of the total vertical joint shear reinforcement corresponding with the
direction of the horizontal joint shear is

0.4Vjv − C j N *
Ajv = (10)
0.87 f yv

where Vjv is the total vertical design shear force across a joint, determined by
hb
V jv = V jh (4)
hc

Vertical joint shear reinforcement 17

5.3 Joint reinforcement (cont’d)

• Detailing for vertical joint shear reinforcement

Types: intermediate column bars or vertical links
{ Bar size </ 12 mm.
{ Spacing > / min{ ¼ hc , 200 mm}, where hc is the column depth in the
direction of the horizontal joint shear force.
{ Each vertical face of the joint should be provided with at least one
vertical joint shear bar (intermediate column bar) between corner bars.

18
 5.3 Joint reinforcement (cont’d)

{ From the truss mechanism, intermediate column bars and main column
bars provide a vertical tension field that equilibriums the vertical
component of the concrete diagonal compression fields. Hence,
main column reinforcement between corner bars may be used as part of
vertical joint shear reinforcement.

The truss mechanism

19

6. Worked Examples

Procedure for the design of beam-column joints to HKConcrete2013:

1. Horizontal joint shear force and horizontal joint shear reinforcement

1.1 Calculate the horizontal joint shear force

V jh = Tb1 + Tb2 − Vcol

1.2 Check the nominal horizontal shear stress

V jh
≤ 0.2 f cu
bjhc
1.3 Determine the horizontal joint shear reinforcement
V jh ⎛ CjN * ⎞
Ajh = ⎜ 0.5 − ⎟
0.87 f yh ⎜⎝ 0.8 Ag f cu ⎟⎠

20
 Design procedure (cont’d)

1.4 Check the requirement of transverse joint reinforcement

Asv , j Asv ,c
≥
sv , j sv ,c
Asv , j Asv ,c
where is the horizontal joint reinforcement ratio; is the link
sv , j sv ,c
ratio in the column non-critical zone.

2. Vertical joint shear force and vertical joint shear reinforcement:

hb
2.1 Calculate the vertical joint shear force: V jv = V jh
hc
0.4Vjv − C j N *
2.2 Determine the vertical joint shear reinforcement: Ajv =
0.87 f yv

21

Worked Example 6-1 Design of exterior joint

y Example 6-1 Design of exterior joint to HKConcrete2013

{ Fig. 6-1 shows exterior joint of a reinforced concrete frame designed to
resist gravity loads and normal wind loads, with beam and column
dimensions and reinforcing steel as indicated.
{ Storey height is 3.6 m.
The minimum design axial load of the column is 300 kN.
Material strengths: fcu = 35 N/mm2 and fy = 500 N/mm2.
{ Design the joint reinforcement to HKConcrete2013.

Worked example 6-1: design of an exterior joint 22

 Example 6-1 Design of exterior joint

hc

350

3T32

550
hb

2T25

(a) (b)

550 Fig. 6-1 Exterior beam-column joint.

(a) Beam-column connection;
T10@250 (b) beam cross-section;
(c) column cross-section of non-critical zones
550

T10@250

(c)
8T32

23

Example 6-1 Solution

Solution:

The maximum tension force in beam top reinforcing bars is

Tb1 = AS f y = 2413 × 500−3 = 1206.5 kN

and Tb2 = 0 (an exterior joint).

For equilibrium, AS f y = 0.67 f cu b(0.9 x ) ;

then the neutral axis depth of the beam is given by

As f y 1206.5 × 103
As f y
x= = = = 163 mm
0.9 × 0.67 f cu b 0.603 f cu b 0.603 × 35 × 350

24
 Example 6-1 Solution (cont’d)

The design moment applied at the join face is determined by

⎛ 0.9 x ⎞ 3 ⎛ 0.9 × 163 ⎞

M u = As f y ⎜ d − ⎟ = 1206.5 × 10 × ⎜ 500 − ⎟ = 514.7 kNm
⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠

Column shears corresponding to this joint moment are calculated using the free
body of the column between assumed mid-height inflection points shown in Fig. 6-
2, given by
Vcol

Vcol = M u / lc = 514.7 / 3.6 = 143.0 kN

lc Mu =
As fy (d−0.9x/2)

Vcol

Fig. 6-2 Column shear calculated from free body

of column between points of contraflexure

25

Example 6-1 Solution (cont’d)

The total joint horizontal design shear force

V jh = Tb1 − Vcol = 1206.5 − 143.0 = 1063.5 kN

Check the horizontal shear stress:

V jh 1063.5 × 103
= = 3.52 N/mm 2 < 0.2 f cu = 7 N/mm 2 , as required.
bjhc 550 × 550

For a two-dimensional joint, Cj = 1.0. The area of horizontal joint shear

reinforcement

V jh ⎛ C j N * ⎞ 1063.5 × 103 ⎛ 1.0 × 300 × 103 ⎞

A jh = ⎜ 0.5 − ⎟= ⎜ 0.5 − ⎟
0.87 f yh ⎜⎝ 0.8 Ag f cu ⎟⎠ 0.87 × 500 ⎝ 0.8 × 5502 × 35 ⎠
= 1136 mm 2

26
 Example 6-1 Solution (cont’d)

Provide 3 sets of T16 hoop (402 mm2 for two legs) at 150 mm centres, where the
hoop ratio of joint is
Asv , j 402
= = 2.68,
sv , j 150

with 3 sets of 2T10 cross-ties (one in each direction) (78 mm2) to give Ajh = (3×402
+ 3×78) = 1440 mm2.

Join core
550

3×2T10@150

550
3T16@150

Detailing for Ajh 8T32

27

Example 6-1 Solution (cont’d)

Column section
550

10@250
550

10@250

8T32

From the column section, hoops and cross-ties in the column non-critical zone are
Asv ,c 235
T10@250. Hence, the column link ratio is = = 0.94.
sv ,c 250

The, check the requirement of transverse joint reinforcement:

Asv , j A
= 2.68 > sv ,c = 0.94 , as required.
sv , j sv , c

28
 Example 6-1 Solution (cont’d)

The vertical joint shear force

hb 550
V jv = V jh = × 1063.5 = 1063.50 kN
hc 550
The area of vertical joint shear reinforcement

0.4V jv − C j N *
A jv =
0.87 f yv
0.4 × 1063.5 × 103 − 1.0 × 300 × 103
= = 288.3 mm 2
0.87 × 500

The middle main column bar (T32) at each vertical face of the joint may be used
to serve as intermediate bar. However, the spacing of main column bars is
larger than 200 mm. Hence, provide two intermediate bars at each vertical face
of the joint.

29

Example 6-1 Exterior joint (cont’d)

Join core
550

3×2T10@150
Detailing for Ajv Main column bars
550

3T16@150

8T32 8T12

2T12
2 intermediate bars at
each vertical face of joint

Fig. 5-3 Reinforcement arrangement for exterior joint

30
 Worked Example 6-2 Design of interior joint

y Example 6-2 Design of interior joint to HKConcrete2013

Fig. 6-4 shows the interior joint of a reinforced concrete frame building, with
beam and column dimensions and reinforcing steel as indicated.

{ The frame is designed to carry gravity loads and normal wind loads.

{ Storey height is 3.7 m.

The minimum design axial load of the column is 2500 kN.
Material strengths are fcu = 35 N/mm2 and fy = 500 N/mm2.

Design the joint reinforcement to the HKConcrete2013.

Worked example 6-2: design of an interior joint 31

Example 6-2 Design of interior joint

hc

350

4T32
700

hb

2T32

(a) (b)

600
Fig. 6-4 Interior beam-column joint.
(a) Beam-column connection;
T10@250 (b) beam cross-section;
(c) column cross-section of non-critical zones
600

T10@250

(c)
12T32

32
 Example 6-2 solution

Solution:

The maximum tension forces in beam top and bottom reinforcing bars are
Tb1 = As1 f y = 3217 × 500 × 10−3 = 1608.5 kN
Tb 2 = As 2 f y = 1608 × 500 × 10−3 = 804 kN

From equilibrium, AS f y = 0.67 f cu b(0.9 x )

As f y
then the neutral axis depth of the beam section: x =
0.603 f cu b
Hence for the beam top and bottom reinforcement,
As1 f y 1608.5 × 103
xb1 = = = 218 mm
0.603 f cu b 0.603 × 35 × 350
As 2 f y 804 × 103
xb 2 = = = 109 mm
0.603 f cu b 0.603 × 35 × 350

33

Example 6-2 solution (cont’d)

The corresponding design moments applied at the join faces are

⎛ 0.9 xb1 ⎞ 3⎛ 0.9 × 218 ⎞

M u1 = As1 f y ⎜ d − ⎟ = 1608.5 × 10 ⎜ 630 − ⎟ = 855.6 kNm
⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠

⎛ 0.9 xb 2 ⎞ 3⎛ 0.9 × 109 ⎞

M u 2 = As 2 f y ⎜ d − ⎟ = 804 × 10 ⎜ 630 − ⎟ = 467.1 kNm
⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠

Column shears corresponding to the Vcol

joint moments shown in Fig. 6-5 are
calculated by
lc Mu2 = Mu1 =

Vcol =
M u1 + M u 2
=
( 855.6 + 467.1) × 106 As2 fy (d−0.9xb2/2) As1 fy (d−0.9xb1/2)

lc 3700 Vcol
= 357.5 kN
Fig. 6-5 Column shear calculated from free body
of column between points of contraflexure

34
 Example 6-2 solution (cont’d)

The horizontal joint shear force

V jh = Tb1 + Tb2 − Vcol
= 1608.5 + 804 − 357.5 = 2055 kN

Check the horizontal shear stress:

V jh 2055 × 103
= = 5.71 N/mm 2 < 0.2 f cu = 7 N/mm 2 , as required.
bjhc 600 × 600

For a two-dimensional joint, Cj = 1.0; hence the area of horizontal joint shear
reinforcement
V jh ⎛ C j N * ⎞ 2055 × 103 ⎛ 1.0 × 2500 × 103 ⎞
A jh = ⎜ 0.5 − ⎟ = × ⎜ 0.5 − ⎟
0.87 f yh ⎝⎜ 0.8 Ag f cu ⎠⎟ 0.87 × 500 ⎝ 0.8 × 6002 × 35 ⎠
= 1190 mm2

35

Example 6-2 solution (cont’d)

Provide 4 sets of T12 hoop at 150 mm centres, where the hoop ratio of joint
is
Asv , j 226
= = 1.507,
sv , j 150
with 4 sets of 4T10 cross-ties (two in each direction) to give Ajh = (4×226 +
8×78) = 1528 mm2.

Joint core 600

4×4T10@150
600

4×T12@150

12T32

Detailing for Ajh

36
 Example 6-2 solution (cont’d)

From Fig. 6-4(c), hoops and cross-ties in the 600

column non-critical zone are T10@250. Hence,

T10@250
the link ratio is

600
Asv ,c 314 T10@250

= = 1.256.
sv ,c 250 12T32

Fig. 6-4 Interior beam-column

Check the requirement of transverse joint joint. (c) column section
reinforcement:
Asv , j A
= 1.507 > sv ,c = 1.256 , as required.
sv , j sv , c

37

Example 6-2 solution (cont’d)

The vertical joint shear force

hb 700
V jv = V jh = × 2055 = 2397.5 kN
hc 600

The area of vertical joint shear reinforcement

0.4V jv − C j N * 0.4 × 2397.5 × 103 − 1.0 × 2500 × 103

A jv = = <0
0.87 f yv 0.87 × 500

Hence no vertical joint shear reinforcement is required.

38
 Example 6-2 solution (cont’d)

Reinforcement arrangement of the joint is shown in Fig. 6-6.

Provide 4 sets of T12 hoop at 150 mm centres with 4 sets of 4T10 cross-ties
(two in each direction) to give Ajh = 1528 mm2.

Joint core
600

4×4T10@150
600

4×T12@150 125

12T32
4 sets
T12@150

125

Fig. 6-6 Reinforcement arrangement for interior joint

39

Thank you

J S Kuang; Wed 9 Sept 2015 at HKIE Headquarters 40