Non-Linear Behavior of RC Beam-Column Joints: Comparison of Multiple Numerical Modeling Approaches

Seismically deficient reinforced concrete (RC) beam-column joints subject to reverse cyclic loading exhibit pinched hysteretic behavior, primarily due to the slip of the main reinforcement of the inadequately anchored beam. To accurately simulate this behavior, often observed during experimental tests and after seismic events in real structures, this study adopts two advanced concrete modeling approaches. First, the Concrete Damage Plasticity (CDP) model, implemented in Abaqus 2023, and the Total Strain Rotating Crack (TSRC) model, adopted instead in DIANA 10.5. Numerical results were then compared to experimental results. To model rebar bond-slip, in both the approaches we used the model proposed by Murcia-Delso and Shing; further, for rebar modeling, a kinematic hardening procedure was employed. Our investigation shows that while both constitutive models successfully predict peak loads, the TSRC model demonstrates better performance in reproducing the experimentally observed hysteretic curves.