Seismic behaviour of plate-reinforced composite coupling beams with RC slabs

In practical engineering, reinforced concrete slabs are generally poured together with coupling beams. Therefore, the influence of reinforced concrete (RC) slabs on the stress of coupling beams cannot be ignored. To study the influence of RC slabs on the mechanical properties and failure mechanism of steel-concrete composite coupling beams under earthquakes, four plate-reinforced composite (PRC) coupling beams with RC slabs and one PRC coupling beam without a slab were tested under low cyclic loading. The influence of slab forms on the seismic performance of coupling beams was studied, and the failure process, failure mode, and bearing capacity were analyzed. By establishing a finite element model, the internal force distribution law of the RC slab-PRC coupling beam, and the bending moment distribution law of concrete, steel bars, and steel plates were analyzed. The results show that the setting of steel plates and RC slabs can significantly improve the shear and energy dissipation capacity of coupling beams. The compression wave buckling deformation of the steel plate mainly occurs at the beam-wall joints. The setting of semi-through cracks in the reinforced concrete slab can delay the crack displacement of the coupling beam and reduce the damage to the slab at the initial stage of loading.