ABSTRACT Reinforced concrete beam‐column joints are critical elements in frame structures but are vulnerable to significant damage and residual deformation during strong seismic events, leading to high repair costs and extended downtime. To address these challenges, slotted beam joints have been proposed as a low‐damage alternative. However, comprehensive studies on their damage mechanisms and post‐earthquake behavior remain limited. To address this gap, six full‐scale beam specimens, including both conventional and slotted beams, were tested to evaluate their seismic performance and post‐earthquake repairability. Additionally, engineered cementitious composites were incorporated to assess their effectiveness in enhancing joint damage resistance. The experimental results confirmed that slotted beam joints effectively localized damage within the slotted region, reduced concrete cracking and beam elongation, and shifted the plastic hinge to a hinge‐like mechanism governed by energy dissipation devices. Both conventional and slotted beams were able to achieve performance similar to their original undamaged conditions after experiencing 2.5% drift and corresponding repairs. However, the slotted beams were found to require only damper replacement for repair after 2.5% drift and exhibited significantly greater repair efficiency. The addition of ECC on the hinge top further improved crack control and energy dissipation. These findings highlight the significant potential of slotted beam joints to enhance structural resilience and post‐earthquake functionality.
Lu et al. (Fri,) studied this question.