ABSTRACT
Beam-column joints in a reinforced concrete frame structure have been recognized as critical members transferring forces and bending moments between beams and columns. The change of moments in beams and columns across the joint region, under horizontal loading, induces high shear forces in the joint as compared with adjacent members. This also aggravates bonding conditions for the longitudinal reinforcement of beams and columns in the joint region. Therefore, shear failure and bonding deterioration were traditionally considered as primary failure modes of beam-column joints in moment resisting frame structures (Paulay & Priestley 1992).
