BAU-RCIII-Lecture 4

RC Hinges

Dr. Zaher Abou Saleh–BAU-Dept. of Civil

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Engineering-Debbieh Campus-RCIII-Lecture 4
Introduction

A hinge is a joint which allows free rotation between two elements

that are connected by the hinge. By reducing the cross section, the
capacity of the section will be greatly reduced and the moment
approaches zero, i.e the flexural stiffness EI will be greatly reduced.

Types of hinges

1-Concrete hinges(ordinary hinges)

2-Steel hinges(lead plate hinges)

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1-Concrete hinges(ordinary hinges)
In order to have acceptable hinge action, the
length of the reduced section t' must be smaller
than or equal to one third of the depth of the
column t at the position of the hinge measured
in the direction of the required rotation.
The practical thickness of the neck t’=t/3 to t/4

Fig. 4. 1 concrete hinges details 3

Design procedures

a- Column design, see Fig. 4.1, sec. 1-1

i) If separate service load cases are given, use ACI load combination
Simplified Load Combo. in the absence of other loadings

ii) If separate service loads horizontal and vertical Hs and Vs are given
PU = 1.5Vs HU = 1.5Hs
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b-Bearing strength on Concrete

A1 = area of hinge=bt′
A2 = area of column=bt

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Pu=φ[Pnb+ (As)nfy] Φ=0.65
c-Splitting force p/2 p/2

t/4

The normal compressive stresses are transferred t/2

from the breadth of the column t to the breadth of
the hinge t‘ in a height h approximately equal to the Fsp
t/2
O
breadth t of the column. Therefore, a splitting tensile
force is developed along this length. The transverse
p/2 p/2
splitting force Fsp is approximately equal to one
t′/4
forth of the vertical force.
Consider the equil. moment Eq. about point O gives;
Fsp.(t/2)-P/2(t/4)+P/2(t′/4)=0
Fsp=P/4(1-t′/t)

For t′/t=1/3 Fsp=P/6

t′/t=1/4 Fsp=3P/16 C=T=Hu/(2cos α) α=30-60
t′/t=0 Fsp=P/4 max. splitting force, Hu
will be resisted by horizontal ties reinforcements,
α
distributed over t as shown in Fig. 4.1
C T
d-Neck reinforcements
The horizontal force should also be resisted by Fig. 4. 2 FBD for diagonal reinf.
diagonal reinforcements as shown in Fig. 4.2, and Hu
should not exceed the smaller of φ(0.2 ), or
φ(3.3+0.08 ) ,or φ11 , where =bt′, then (As)c=(As)t=(T or C)/(φfy), φ=0.75 6
2-Steel hinges(lead plate hinges)

In this type of hinges, the normal component of the hinge is

transmitted to the foundation by bearing through 20 mm thick lead
plate arranged at the middle of the column foot. The horizontal
component Hu (not to exceed 100kN) is resisted by shear resistance of
the connecting bars (dowels bars)
As that are protected from rusting by 20 mm thick bituminous
material as shown in Fig. 4.3

Dowels
bars

Fig. 4. 3 steel hinges details 7

Fig. 4. 4 shows the graphical representation of finite element model
of the hinged base. Far from the lead plate the stress distribution
can be considered uniform. Stress concentration can be easily
noticed at the connection between the frame leg and the lead
plate.

Fig. 4. 4 Finite element model for the hinged base

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Steps of design in this type of hinges will be similar as before
except of the transfer of the horizontal force at the neck area.
This horizontal force should be resisted by dowels bars as shown in
Fig. 4.3
( )d= dowels bars make an angle α with the shear plane
(ϻ )

( )d= dowels bars an angle α = 90 with the shear plane

ϻ