Finite element modellingofa reinforced concrete slab-column connection under cyclic lateral load

The behaviour of the reinforced concrete slab-column connection, adopted from a prototype flat slab system as subassembly model, is studied. To this end, a typical half-scaled reinforced concrete slab-column connection specimen was tested under cyclic lateral load up to 3.5% drift ratio. A simulation for a predicted model was then performed using finite element tool as a means to verify the results from experimental work and to provide a bigger picture regarding the initiation and progression of cracks. With regard to the behaviour of the test specimen, it is found that the performance of load carrying capacity is controlled by the formation of major cracks propagating alongside the slab surface. For comparative study, it is shown that the load-drift response of predicted model has a close resemblance to the test specimen. It is also shown that the longitudinal strain fields obtained from the numerical analysis are in good agreement with the crack pattern obtained from the experimental test.