An Experimental Research on Hysteretic Behavior of RC Beams under Significant Gravity Loads

Abstract

In this study, an experimental research to obtain the effects of significant gravity load on the hysteretic behaviors of RC beams is presented. To this purpose, an experimental program is carried out in which gravity loads are applied by force controlled test procedure whereas cyclic loads are applied by displacement controlled test procedure. It is found from the experimental results that significant gravity load is an effective parameter on plastic hinge mechanism. The experimental results of specimens with and without significant gravity load are compared to each other. Experimentally observed damage states, plastic hinge zones and deformation demands are also compared with the respective values proposed by Turkish Seismic Design Code. The results of the limited number of test specimens show that, the loading procedure with significant gravity load effect leads to the formation of non-reversing plastic hinge and analytical collapse limit given in Turkish Seismic Design Code remains very conservative.