Aseismic Capability of Beam‐to‐Column Joint in RC Frame Under Biaxial Loading

The aseismic capability of a beam‐to‐column connection may be lower under identical bidirectional compared to unidirectional loads. However, earthquake excitations are multidimensional and random, so joints may be simultaneously subjected to different biaxial loading. The aseismic capability and mechanisms of the joints in reinforced concrete (RC) frame structures subjected to different biaxial loading have not been evaluated in detail. This work obtains the combined shear deformation of joints by testing RC frame joints subjected to biaxial cyclic loading and analyzes the shear transfer mechanism and the seismic performance of the joints, respectively, under the same and different bidirectional reciprocated loads. Compared to the spatial joints in RC frame under unidirectional extrude, the shear strength decreased by 21%–29% in the joints subjected to biaxial loading. Moreover, the aseismic capability of beam‐to‐column connections in RC frame subjected to different bidirectional loads is defined. Finally, the criterion of “strong joint and weak component” is improved.