Reinforced concrete beam-column inverted knee joint behaviour after ground corner column loss-numerical analysis

Beam-column joints are critical component in the load path of reinforced concrete (RC) frames, due to their role in transferring loads among different RC frame components. The loss of a ground corner column in a RC frame turns an exterior joint into an inverted knee joint and recent code provisions for exterior joints are not sufficient to knee joints because of reinforcement defects in terms of joint vertical stirrups and improper column bar anchorage. This paper investigates numerically the behaviour of these joints under a closing moment using nonlinear finite element (FE) analysis with LS-DYNA. Beam’s bar anchorage type and joint vertical stirrups are the main parameters considered next to concrete compressive strength, longitudinal reinforcement ratio and lateral beam effect. This study indicates that, anchorage beam’s bar with U shaped produces better behaviour than 90° standard hooks or headed ends. Contribution of joint vertical stirrups is more influential with headed bars anchorage. Increasing concrete compressive strength and beam reinforcement ratio improve joint ultimate capacity. The presence of lateral beams reduces the rate of concrete degradation in the joint after reaching ultimate capacity and increases joint carrying capacity.