مهندسی عمران شریف (May 2021)
Experimental Investigation of the concrete beam-column joints behavior with CNTs modified engineering cementitious composite
Abstract
Carbon nano-materials, especially Carbon nanotubes (CNTs(, are the most prospective advanced materials for application in cement-based products for the construction industry due to their excellent material properties. An appropriate design for beam-column joint structures is required to meet the requirements of strength and ductility to prevent any sudden failure. Under seismic action, this beam-column joint zone is considered the most sensitive zone that undergoes different shear stresses in different deflections. The seismic performance of beam-column connections and joints can be enhanced by using improved details in the joints, ensuring a strong connection behavior. However, the use of dense reinforcements brings about executive problems such as lack of concrete condensation. This paper investigates the effect of Engineering Cementitious Composites containing Carbon Nanotubes (ECC-CNT) on the behavior of RC exterior beam-column joints under reversed cyclic loading. In this study, three beam-column concrete joints were tested, one of which was the reference specimen. The two other joints of the critical area of beam-column connection were replaced with Engineering Cementitious Composite (ECC) and ECC-CNT. The main parameters considered include the moment-deflection relationship, the energy absorption capacity, hysteresis curve, and crack propagation. The specimen was subjected to a reversed cyclic loading under control deformation at the tip of the beam. Loading continued until the load dropped to more than 30-40% of the maximum load. Also, to simulate the actual sample, the compressive load of fifteen tons continuously entered the column. The mixing technique for producing highly dispersed nanomaterial in cement mortar is crucial as it directly affects the mechanical properties of the cementitious composite. In this study, a surfactant (plasticizer) and Arabic Gum were used in order to get a homogenous dispersion of CNT in water. According to the results in the sample containing CNT in the plastic joint, it absorbs the highest amount of energy at the end of loading, which was 28% and 55% higher than ECC and NC, respectively. In addition, results indicated that the use of ECC-CNT in the plastic bonding zone had a significant effect on the energy absorption and relative deformation of the joints.
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