Experiments on RC Y-shaped connections in diagonal grid structures

Abstract

In high-rise diagonal grid structures, the Y-shaped connections play a key role in transferring the diagonal members of upper stories to the lower columns. Four reinforced concrete Y-shaped specimens were designed based on two factors: the volumetric ratio of stirrups in the joint zone and the material strength of the inclined members. They were then tested from loading to failure. The reduction coefficient of stirrups was defined and determined, leading to proposed design recommendations and expressions for determining the load-bearing capacity of reinforced concrete Y-shaped connections.

Experimental study on the seismic behavior of steel-reinforced ultra-high-strength concrete frame joints with cyclic loads

“…Massive experimental and numerical investigations were performed to explore the key influence parameters for the seismic behavior of RC joints, such as material property, joint panel geometry, reinforcement confinement, column axial load, and reinforcement bond condition (Bonacci and Pantazoupoulou, 1993; Bugeja et al, 2000; Cheng and Chen, 2004; Hakuto et al, 2000; Kim and LaFave, 2007; Lin and Restrepo, 2002; Parra-Montesinos and Wight, 2000; Shin and LaFave, 2004). In the meantime, a more recent line of research has progressively focused on investigating the seismic behavior of hybrid joints in terms of their ductility, strength, and stiffness (Tao et al, 2013; Zhou and Zhang, 2014). In addition, hybrid joints consisting of steel-reinforced concrete were found to exhibit a better performance than conventional RC joints because the encasement for the structural steel in concrete can greatly increases the strength, stiffness, and energy dissipation capacity of the composite members.…”

Editorial

“…The second paper (Zhou et al, 2015) focuses on another architecturally dramatic structural system, a diagrid (or diagonal grid) structure where, rather than having separate structural elements to deal with the vertical and horizontal loads, both loads are channelled into diagonally orientated structural elements. This structural system has been claimed to have originated from a Russian polymath Vladmir Shukhov in the late 19th century.…”

“…The design of the nodes is key to the constructability and cost of this type of structural system. Zhou et al (2015) document in detail the experimental study and finite-element analysis conducted to design Y-shaped nodal connections for a specific skyscraper built in Dalian, China. The Y-shaped connections are employed to transfer the forces from the diagrid structure into vertical columns, a design choice that can often be made where the diagrid meets the ground to allow easily detailing of access points into the building.…”