Fundamental rules in the reinforcement of

antiseismic structural systems

The following needs – rules regarding the proper placement of
reinforcement, derive from the behavior of structures:

Columns:
(α) Rebars must be symmetrically placed around the perimeter of the
cross section since the tensile forces and therefore the inclined cracking
constantly change direction.

(β) There must be enough, high strength and properly anchored stirrups.
This reinforcement protects the member from the large diagonal cracks
of alternating direction, caused by the diagonal stressing or otherwise
called shear.
 Behavior of a two–column frame during an earthquake

Beams:

(α) Rebars placed in the beams lower part must be as well anchored as
those placed in the upper part. This happens because tension and
therefore the resulting transverse cracking, continuously change place
during a seismic action and as a consequence in critical earthquakes,
tensile stresses appear to the lower fibers of the supports.

(β) There must be enough, high strength and properly anchored stirrups
because the high intensity of the diagonal stresses and thus the large
inclined diagonal cracking, shift direction during an earthquake.

No matter how “well designed” a structure is, either because of exceeded

design seismic forces or because of local conditions during the
construction, one or possibly more structural members will exceed their
design strength.

In that case we desire to have two defense mechanisms:

1st defense mechanism: in case of an earthquake greater than the design

earthquake we don’t

want failure (fracture) of any member even if it remains permanently

deformed, this means

that we need ductile structural members.

2nd defense mechanism: in the case of an extremely intense earthquake,

where failure of some members is unavoidable, the elements that must
not exceed their strength are columns; this means that the columns must
have sufficient capacity-overstrength. In the second defense mechanism
all failures must be flexural because of their ductile nature as opposed to
shear failures that have a brittle behavior (i.e. sudden fracture).

By designing the structure to withstand a major seismic incident,

something achieved by the use of a high seismic factor, we avoid
extensive failures. By providing ductility and capacity-overstrength to the
elements we design against local failures. Local failing may happen for
vari-ous reasons and if it occurs it may lead to the progressive failure of
the structure.

The need for ductility in structural elements

In both columns and beams supports , it is required to place a substantial
amount of stirrups not only to bear the diagonal tension but also to
ensure a high level of ductility which is crucial in the case of strong
earthquakes.

Ductility is the ability of a reinforced concrete member to sustain

deformation after the loss of its strength, without fracture.

When design seismic actions are exceeded, only one element, the most
vulnerable, will over-come its strength capacity. If that element is ductile,
it will continue to bear its loading and will give the second most
vulnerable element the possibility to contribute its strength. If that
second element is ductile too, it will make the third most vulnerable
element to contribute its strength and that way all the elements will
successively supply their strength.

If all members of the structure system have enough ductility the

structure’s strength ca-pacity will depend upon the strength capacity of
all the structural members, otherwise it will be depended upon the
strength capacity of the most vulnerable structural member.Ductility i.e.
the element’s deformation capability beyond its yielding point regards
flexure and requires strength in shear. This is the reason why shear
design is based on the elements capacity-overstrength so as to avoid
potential shear failure.

Columns and beams basically fail in the joint area i.e. the area where the
beam intersects with the column. Therefore columns and beams must be
enough ductile in the joint area. If pounding between a column and a
staircase or masonry infill is probable then the need for ductility extents
to the whole length of the column.

Column with cross-section 50×50 and three stirrups on every layer,

required by the Seismic Regulation for ductility
 Beam with ductility requirements

Beam with high ductility requirements

The need for column’s capacity-overstrength Capacity design ensures

that the columns will have greater capacity than the adjacent beams
therefore no matter how intense the seismic action will be, beam failure
will precede the failure of columns. Failing beams will absorb part of the
released seismic energy thus altering the structure’s natural
(fundamental) frequency and avoiding resonance. Generally, failure of one
or more beams does not induce progressive failing, hence even in an
extremely strong seismic event, the structure will not collapse and will
retain a minimum serviceability level allowing its evacuation and most of
the times its rehabilitation.