Design procedure for seismic retrofit of RC beam-column joint using single diagonal haunch

Exterior beam-column joint is typically the weakest link in a limited-ductile reinforced concrete (RC) frame structure. The use of diagonal haunch element has been considered as a desirable seismic retrofit option for reducing the seismic demand at the joint. Previous research globally has focused on implementing double haunches, while the use of single haunch element as a less-invasive and more architecturally favorable retrofit option has not been investigated. In this paper, the key formulations and a design procedure for the single haunch system for retrofitting RC exterior beam-column joint are developed. An application of the proposed design procedure is then illustrated through a case study.