Seismic Performance Evaluation of RCC Beam-Column Connections in High-Rise Buildings Using ETABS

Beam-column connections serve as vital force-transfer hubs in reinforced concrete (RC) moment-resisting frames, directly governing overall structural ductility and lateral stability during seismic events. This study presents an advanced finite element evaluation of interior, exterior, and corner beam-column joints in a multi-story RC building using ETABS. In accordance with Indian Standard provisions (IS 456:2000, IS 1893:2016, and IS 13920:2016), both Equivalent Static and Response Spectrum analyses were conducted to quantify base shear, lateral displacement, inter-story drift, and joint shear demands. A parametric investigation was performed to evaluate how panel zone rigidity and end-length offsets influence overall lateral stiffness and internal force distribution. Findings indicate that accurately modeling rigid zone factors prevents underestimating joint shear demands while refining structural drift predictions. The paper concludes with practical detailing recommendations aimed at alleviating reinforcement congestion, ensuring a strong-column weak-beam failure mechanism, and maximizing seismic resilience in high-rise RCC frames.