Guidelines for Design of Joints between Steel Beams and Reinforced Concrete Columns

Abstract

Guidelines are presented for the design of beam‐column moment‐resisting joints in composite framed structures consisting of structural steel beams and reinforced concrete or composite columns. These recommendations address the proportioning and detailing of these joints, taking into account the interaction of the structural steel and reinforced concrete components. The recommendations are based primarily on tests of cruciform‐shaped specimens and on related information from existing codes and standards. The typical joint configuration is one where the steel beams are continuous through the reinforced concrete column. Such connections are increasingly being used in the United States, Japan, and elsewhere. Since many of the concepts are being introduced for the first time, a commentary is provided that identifies additional reference material. Examples are included to demonstrate the use of these design recommendations.