fib Symposium PRAGUE 2011 Session 2B-1: Construction Technology

DETAILING OF CORNER JOINTS UNDER OPENING MOMENT

Marina L. Moretti

Theodosios P. Tassios

Abstract
This research was prompted by the appearance of extensive cracks in lignite storage bunkers at a power generating station in Greece, shortly after they had been put in use. An experimental study has been undertaken in order to clarify the influence of the detailing of reinforcement to the pattern of cracking observed. Specimens in natural scale (1:1) were subjected to repeated opening moment, so as to simulate the loading conditions of the real structure while being filled and emptied. The research work was aimed at completing available experimental results pertaining to detailed strain measurements so that they may be useful in describing load transfer and failure mechanisms. Keywords: Corner joints, Opening moment, Detailing, Corner efficiency

1
1.1

Experimental
Characteristics of specimens

Three specimens in natural scale (1:1) were constructed and tested. All had dimensions and reinforcement identical to the corners of the failed bunkers and differed only in the arrangement of the reinforcement in the joint (Fig. 1, Fig. 2). In addition specimen 3 contained in the joint seven 4-leg stirrups (10 mm), extending from the compressive to the inclined reinforcement1. Moreover, six ties 10 mm were placed around the hoop perpendicular to its plane so as to avoid tensile failure of concrete in a plane parallel to the hoop2. In all specimens the volumetric ratio of leg tensile reinforcement was approximately =0.15 (=(As/bd)fyk/fck), which in literature is considered to be rather high. Nevertheless, the tensile reinforcement yielded in all specimens. This is a prerequisite for augmenting the efficiency of a corner1,3. The compressive strength of concrete (Tab. 1) was measured on cylinders 150 300 mm The main reinforcement and the diagonal stirrups in the joint of specimen 3 were of deformed weldable steel bars (yield strength fsy=450 MPa). Stirrups in the legs of the corner consisted of plain mild steel (fsy=220 MPa). Strains along the longitudinal reinforcement bars were measured by means of demountable mechanical strain gauges (DEMEC), while strains of stirrups and strains along the anchoring length of the main reinforcement were measured through electrical strain gauges (S.G.). 403

fib Symposium PRAGUE 2011 Session 2B-1: Construction Technology

Fig. 1 Reinforcement of specimen 1 (Joint detailing identical to the bunkers)

Fig. 2 Reinforcement layout at the joint of specimens 2 and 3

1.2

Loading history

The specimens were tested in horizontal position and were subjected to repeated opening moment, so as to simulate the loading conditions of the bunkers when filled and emptied. The characteristics of the corners tested are shown in Tab. 1.
Tab. 1 Characteristics of specimens

Specimen
Spec.1 Spec.2 Spec.3

fcc [MPa]
29.5 28 29

Pmax [kN]
230 190 220

max [mm]
99.5 92.8 99.4

MR,a-a [kNm]
215.6 197.8 195.7

MR,b-b [kNm]
340.9 304.6 302.9

M max,a-a M R,a-a
1.07 0.96 1.12

M max,b-b M R,b-b
0.81 0.75 0.87

where: fcc = cylindrical compressive strength of concrete = volumetric ratio of leg tensile reinforcement = (As/bd)fyk/fcc Pmax = maximum load applied at the test max = displacement corresponding to Pmax (variation of initial distance between legs) MR,a-a = calculated moment resistance of leg, section a-a (bending of inclined reinforcement Fig. 3) MR,b-b = calculated moment resistance of leg, section b-b (bending of inclined reinforcement Fig. 3) Mmax,a-a = experimental resistance at the leg section a-a (Fig. 3) for Pmax Mmax,b-b = experimental resistance at the leg section b-b (Fig. 3) for Pmax 1.3 Crack pattern and mode of failure

All specimens failed in bending at section a-a (Fig. 3) of the leg. The high percentage of tensile reinforcement in the adjoining members did not lead to failure at the joint, contrary to what is reported in the literature1-6. Bending cracks first developed at the inner side of the legs and the joint. Cracking of the specimens depended on the detailing of the reinforcement (Fig. 5).

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Fig. 3 Detailing of joint reinforcement in specimen 2

Fig. 4 Stresses at a corner subjected to opening moment

Specimen 1

Specimen 2 Fig. 5 Reinforcement layout and crack pattern of specimens

Specimen 3

Specimen 1 with reinforcement identical to the corners of the bunkers was tested first. The corner was heavily cracked. Cracks along axis X resulted in crushing of concrete at the free sides of the corner. In specimen 2 anchoring of the tensile reinforcement by a loop reduced cracking of the joint considerably, principally cracks along direction X which are crucial for the integrity of the joint. In specimen 3 stirrups along the corner diagonal (axis Y) were placed and practically prevented cracking along axis X. The stirrups (with cross-section 2 As1 designed to undertake the resultant force of the tensile reinforcement, where As1 is the cross section of the leg tenslile reinforcement) proved though to be over-dimensioned since their strain remained lower than 0,5%0. In all specimens the strains of the compressive main reinforcement bars remained lower than 1% while the tensile reinforcement of the adjoining legs yielded. Anchoring of the main reinforcement in the joint proved to be sufficient, due to the large dimensions of the joint and the presence of the haunch.

Corner Efficiency

The term corner or joint efficiency often found in the literature, is expressed by the ratio of the moment causing failure of the entire corner divided by the flexural capacity of the member framing into the joint1,2,3,6. The corner efficiency at section a-a as ratio Mmax/MR is higher for specimen 3 among the specimens tested, as expected. However, the comparison of the corner efficiency between specimens 1 and 2 is misleading. In specimen 1 the body of the corner has failed by extensive cracking along axis X under P=170 kN before the failure of its leg (P=230 kN). This was not the case with specimen 2: its corner was practically intact when the leg failed (P=190 kN). Consequently, a critical moment, (Mcrit,cor) should be evaluated corresponding to an acceptable damage condition of the body of the corner, which may effectively serve to define a structural efficiency ratio (Mcrit,cor/Mu,leg, where Mu,leg= moment resistance of the leg) that correctly represents the behaviour of the joint.

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Conclusions

The anchoring of the tensile reinforcement of a corners legs by 90-degree bending led to increased tensile cracking, to compressive failure of the body of the corner, despite the presence of inclined reinforcement and the large dimensions of the joint. Anchoring of the tensile reinforcement by a hook of 180 or 225 degrees resulted in considerable reduction of overall cracking, especially of the undesirable cracks parallel to X axis. Stirrups placed in the direction Y of the main corner diagonal practically prevented cracking along the X axis. However attention should be paid so that the stirrups are not over-dimensioned. Inclined reinforcement in the joint switched failure from the section of maximum applied moment to the cross-section at which the inclined reinforcement is anchored in the legs compression zone3. For a reliable definition of the corner efficiency, the moment resistance of the entire corner ought to correspond to a moment causing an acceptable damage level of the body of the corner.

This research was made possible with the financial support of the Sector of Thermoelectric Works of the Greek National Company of Electricity (DEH). Work to this study was contributed by Mr. Kritsotakis and Mrs. Chondrogianni (of the Greek National Company of Electricity) as well as the technical stuff in the Laboratory of Reinforced Concrete at the National Technical University of Athens. All support is acknowledged and gratefully appreciated.

References
[1]
Nilsson, I. H. E.: Reinforced Concrete Corners and Joins Subjected to Bending Moment. National Swedish Institute for Building Research, Document D7, Stockholm, Division of Concrete Structures, Chalmers University of Technology, PhD. Thesis, Publication 73:6, Gteborg, Sweden, 249 pp., 1973. Skettrup, E., Strabo, J., Andersen, N. H., Brondum-Nielsen, T.: Concrete Frame Corners, ACI Structural Journal, V. 91, pp. 587-593, Nov.-Dec. 1984. Johansson, M.: Structural Behaviour in Concrete Frame Corners of Civil Defense Shelters, Division of Concrete Structures, Department of Structural Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, PhD. Thesis, Gteborg, Sweden, 2000. Mayfield, B., Kong, F. K., Bennison, A.: Strength and Stiffness in Lightweight Concrete Corners, ACI Structural Journal, V. 69, pp. 420-427, July-Aug. 1972. Kordina, K.: Bewehrungsfhrung in Ecken und Rahmenendknoten (Reinforcement Design of Corners and Joints in Reinforced Concrete Frame Structures). In German. Deutscher Ausschuss fr Stahlbeton, Heft 354, pp.5-93, 1984. Abdul-Wahab H., M., S., Salman, S., A., R.: Effect of Corner Angle on Efficiency of Reinforced Concrete Joints under Opening Bending Moment, ACI Structural Journal, V. 96, No. 1, pp. 115-21, Jan.-Feb. 1999.

[2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Dr Marina L. Moretti,
University of Thessaly Faculty of Civil Engineering Lab. of R.C. Technology & Structures Pedion Areos 383 34 Volos, Greece +30 22410 74141 +30 22410 74122 marmor@civ.uth.gr mmore @tee.gr

Prof. Theodosios P. Tassios, C.Eng.

National Technical University, Athens Faculty of Civil Engineering Lab. of R.C. Structures Iroon Polytechneiou 5 157 73 Zografou, Athens, Greece +30 210 6139280 +30 210 8045139 tassiost@central.ntua.gr

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