Experimental investigation of the behavior of reinforced concrete columns under axial load and torsion

In the past, torsional damages have been observed in damaged or collapsed irregular structures in field investigations after devastating earthquakes in many parts of the world and especially in our country. It is also known that these damages occur especially in the columns. It is known that the axial load level of some columns in the building reaches higher levels than the current situation with the forward and backward oscillations affecting the buildings in case of earthquakes. In this study, it is aimed to examine the behavior of columns in structures under the effect of axial load and torsion at different levels. In the studies in the literature, the torsion effects that may occur in the columns due to the irregularities in the reinforced concrete structures have not been sufficiently emphasized. For this reason, the reinforced concrete behavior of columns under the effect of torsion in reinforced concrete structures should be examined. For this purpose, in the thesis study, 7 columns under the effect of axial load at different levels were produced. Cyclic torsional loading was created on the produced columns. In the scope of the study, an experimental setup was designed in order to give the torsional effect to the column. In order to determine the behavior of the tested test specimens under the effect of torsion and axial load, the test results of each test specimen and the behavioral characteristics obtained from the tests were determined in each specimen. In addition to the axial load level of the columns under the axial load and torsion effect, the behavior of the column under the effect of torsion, the formation of torsion and its effects on the column, damage to the column under the effect of torsion were investigated. The results obtained were interpreted in the light of the studies in the literature and the data obtained.