Experimental investigation and design of steel brace connection to RC frame

Results of static tests on full-scale connections for internally braced reinforced concrete frames are discussed. The experiments are conducted to verify the applicability of the existing provisions of codes of practice for steel and concrete structures to design the constituent elements of these connections. Three types of brace/RC frame connections, suitable for the seismic retrofitting of existing RC frames and the seismic design of frames under construction, are investigated. The connections are designed for an arbitrary tensile brace force using the current guidelines for design of brace/steel frame and steel plate/concrete member connections. Connections are constructed in full scale. They are tested to the ultimate failure (rupture) of the brace member under direct tensile load and the force/displacement response of the connections and their main elements are recorded. The test results correspond well with the design strength predictions of individual elements in each connection. It is concluded that steel brace/RC frame connections can be designed successfully by combining the appropriate current provisions from the codes of practice for steel and concrete structures.