Plastic-damage analysis of reinforced concrete frames

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to develop an improved analytical model for predicting the damage response of multi-storey reinforced concrete frames modelled as an elastic beam-column with two inelastic hinges at its ends. The damage is evaluated in the hinges, using the concentrated damage concepts and a new member damage evaluation method for frame members, which leads to a meaningful global damage index of the structure. A numerical procedure for predicting the damage indices of the structures using matrix structural analysis, plastic theory and continuum damage model is also developed. The method is adequate for the prediction of the failure mechanisms. Using the proposed framework, various numerical examples are included. Based on the obtained results, advantages and limitation of the proposed model are observed. The proposed numerical model is useful to solve multi-storey reinforced concrete frames using a procedure that combines structural finite elements (beams) with moment-curvature constitutive models derived from classic stress-strain ones. It is an inexpensive and reliable procedure to model the frame structures.