EFFECTS ON SEISMIC STRENGTHENING OF COUPLING BEAMS WITH OR WITHOUT BOLT CONNECTIONS IN BEAM SPAN

Reinforced concrete coupling beam is an important member of a major lateral load-resisting structure-coupled shear wall or core wall.Under seismic actions,local failure of coupling beams may lead to a more serious global failure of the whole lateral load resisting system of the building.Along with the development of economy and society,it is necessary and important to strengthen coupling beams that are substandard under seismic actions due to the lack of safety margin and new service in old RC buildings.This paper presents an experimental study into the effects on seismic strengthening of coupling beams with or without bolt connections in beam span.The study shows that the strengthened coupling beam without bolt connections in beam span subjected to cyclic loads has better energy dissipation,larger strength,less stiffness degradation.