The Earthquake Engineering Online Archive

Behavior of interior and exterior flat plate connections subjected to inelastic load reversals

Zee, Howard L.; Moehle, Jack P.

UCB/EERC-84/07, Earthquake Engineering Research Center, University of California, Berkeley, 1984-08, 130 pages (530/Z44/1984)

A typical plate column connection occurring in a prototype reinforced concrete flat plate structure was modeled with three-tenths scale test specimens. The test specimens were subjected to both gravity loads and statically imposed lateral loads with reversals. Design was in accordance with gravity load requirements of the ACI Building Code and the seismic lateral forces associated with Zone 2 of the 1982 Uniform Building Code. Reinforcement details satisfied the provisions of the 1983 ACI Code (ACI 318-83) including special requirements for structures in regions of moderate seismic risk. Deflection and deformation responses of the test specimens were monitored and recorded. Existing analytical models for strength and lateral load stiffnesses of plate column connections were studied by comparing model results with observed behavior. Stiffness models included equivalent beam width and equivalent frame models. Conclusions are drawn regarding the deformation responses of the specimens and the effectiveness of the analytical models.

Available online: http://nisee.berkeley.edu/documents/EERC/EERC-84-07.pdf (10 MB)