Nonlinear Coupled Thermal-Structural Analysis of Monolithic and Precast Concrete Corbel Beam-to-Column Connection

In this paper, a nonlinear coupled thermal-structural analysis is executed using ANSYS Workbench to simulate the fire performance of monolithic and precast concrete corbel beam-to-column connection at high temperatures. The monolithic models, namely M22-S and M600-S, represent the testing temperatures of 22 ℃ and 600 ℃. The precast concrete corbel models, namely C22-S and C400-S, represent the testing temperatures of 22 ℃ and 400 ℃. The models are simulated to failure under incremental point loads at the end of the beam that produced hogging moments to the connections. The response of the models is validated against the load-deflection curves and toughness of connections from the previous experimental test. The relative connection performance at ambient and high temperatures is evaluated and discussed. The load-deflection curves for connections M22, M600, and C22 show a good agreement between the simulation and experimental results. The load-deflection curves are reduced with increasing temperatures. The toughness for connections M22, M600, and C22 (simulation and experimental) has verified the accuracy and applicability of the proposed simulation model. The toughness results show that the connection at ambient temperature (M22 and C22) has higher fracture resistance than at high temperatures (M600 and C400). The validation result of nonlinear coupled thermal-structural analysis executed using ANSYS Workbench gives good efficiency for predicting the fire performance of monolithic and precast concrete corbel beam-to-column connection at high temperatures.