Monotonic loading tests of ring-beam connections for steel reinforced concrete columns and RC beams

Many types of connections between steel reinforced concrete (SRC) columns and reinforced concrete (RC) beams have been proposed. These connections are usually difficult to design and complex to construct. This study proposes a new ring-beam connection for SRC columns and RC beams. The force transfer mechanism is as follows. The shear forces and bending moments of the RC beams are first transferred to the ring-beam connections and then to the SRC columns. A series of monotonic bending and shear tests was carried out to verify the applicability and effectiveness of the new ring-beam connections for use in structures. These connections were of two different types: orthogonal and nonorthogonal. Ring-beam connections with appropriate designs are shown to satisfy the strong connection/weak beam requirement. Finally, simple design methods for the longitudinal reinforcements and stirrups of the different elements are proposed based on the test and analysis results.