An efficient three‐dimensional solid finite element dynamic analysis of reinforced concrete structures

Most of the finite element analyses of reinforced concrete structures are restricted to two‐dimensional elements. Three‐dimensional solid elements have rarely been used although nearly all reinforced concrete structures are under a triaxial stress state. In this work, a three‐dimensional solid element based on a smeared fixed crack model that has been used in the past mainly for monotonic static loading analysis is extended to cater for dynamic analysis. The only material parameter that needs to be input for this model is the uniaxial compressive strength of concrete. Steel bars are modelled as uniaxial elements and an embedded formulation allows them to have any orientation inside the concrete elements. The proposed strategy for loading or unloading renders a numerical procedure which is stable and efficient. The whole process is applied to two RC frames and compared against existing experiments in the literature. Results show that the proposed approach may adequately be used to predict the dynamic response of a structure. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Numerical simulation of reinforcement strengthening for high‐arch dams to resist strong earthquakes

This paper focuses on analyzing the nonlinear seismic response of high‐arch dams with cantilever reinforcement strengthening. A modified embedded‐steel model is presented to evaluate the effects of the strengthening measure on alleviating the extension and opening of cracks under strong earthquakes. By stiffening reinforced steel, this model can easily consider the steel–concrete interaction for lightly reinforced concrete (RC) members without the need of dividing them into RC and plain concrete zones. The new tensile constitutive relations of reinforced steel are derived from the load–deformation relationship of RC members in direct tension. This model has been implemented in the finite element code and its applicability is verified by two numerical simulations for RC tests. Subsequently, numerical analyses for a 210‐m high‐arch dam (Dagangshan arch dam) are conducted with and without the presence of cantilever reinforcement. Numerical results show that reinforcement strengthening can reduce the nonlinear response of the arch dam, e.g. joint opening and crest displacement, and limit the extension and opening width of concrete cracks. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Life‐cycle cost assessment of RC and ECC frames using structural optimization

In this study life‐cycle cost (LCC) assessment of structural frames is performed. Two different materials, reinforced concrete (RC) and reinforced engineered cementitious composites (ECC), with different response characteristics are used to model the frames. ECC is characterized by high tensile ductility and energy absorption and reduced crack widths when compared to conventional concrete. However, the material is more expensive than conventional concrete; therefore, in order to quantify the potential benefits that could be obtained by replacing concrete with ECC, the life‐cycle performance is evaluated in an optimization framework. Three different structural frames are considered: an RC only frame, an ECC only frame and a multi‐material (MX) frame in which ECC is selectively applied at the potential plastic hinge locations while the remainder of the frame is made of RC. The structural capacity and earthquake demand are evaluated using rigorous analysis methods to capitalize on different characteristics of concrete and ECC, and both aleatory and epistemic uncertainties are incorporated into the LCC formulation. It is found that both the initial and LCC of frames that use ECC are lower due to savings in material and labor cost of transverse reinforcement for the former and due to increased capacity and reduced demand for the latter. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Failure simulation of shear‐critical RC columns with non‐ductile detailing under lateral load

Reinforced concrete columns with non‐ductile detailing typically exhibit a softening behavior characterized by severe degradation when subjected to cyclic lateral loads. Whether the response is brittle or ductile, shear failure occurs with an inclined through crack along which sliding occurs coupled with loss of horizontal and vertical load‐bearing capacity of the member. The rapid loss of resistance after the peak strength is reached is because of one or more of the following local failure mechanisms: brittle failure of poorly confined concrete; buckling of longitudinal reinforcing bars because of lack of adequate transverse reinforcement or following opening of stirrups after spalling of cover concrete; bond failure. In this study, a modeling strategy to build a detailed 3D finite element model capable of capturing all of the above‐mentioned local failure mechanisms is presented. In particular, a steel–concrete interface model for representing the interaction within the member between concrete core, cover and longitudinal and transverse reinforcement is proposed. Comparison with results of an experimental test of a shear‐sensitive column demonstrates the effectiveness of the simulation up to failure of the element. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of reinforcement slippage on the non‐linear response under cyclic loadings of RC frame structures

This paper discusses the importance of including the bond‐slip effects in assessing the response under cyclic loads of reinforced concrete frames. The discussion is based on analyses performed using numerical models which are simple, computationally efficient and capable of representing the salient features of reinforced concrete frames under both static and dynamic loads. The numerical models comprise a displacement‐based, reinforced concrete frame element with bond‐slip and a rigid beam column joint element with bond‐slip. Two applications illustrate the model accuracy and show the importance of including bond‐slip. The first application considers a reinforced concrete beam‐column subassemblage experimentally tested under cyclic loads. The second application considers the shaking table test of a two‐story one‐bay reinforced concrete frame In both cases the analytical results correlate well with the experimental results in terms of strength, displacement demands and hysteretic energy dissipation. Furthermore, the paper shows how the analyses that include bond‐slip yield a better correlation with the experimental results with respect to the analyses that assume a perfect bond. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Time‐variant sustainability assessment of seismically vulnerable bridges subjected to multiple hazards

In the design and assessment of structures, the aspects regarding the future performance are gaining increased attention. A wide range of performance measures is covered by ‘sustainability’ to reflect these aspects. There is the need for well established methods for quantifying the metrics of sustainability. In this paper, a framework for assessing the time‐variant sustainability of bridges associated with multiple hazards considering the effects of structural deterioration is presented. The approach accounts for the effects of flood‐induced scour on seismic fragility. Sustainability is quantified in terms of its social, environmental, and economic metrics. These include the expected downtime and number of fatalities, expected energy waste and carbon dioxide emissions, and the expected loss. The proposed approach is illustrated on a reinforced concrete bridge. The effects of corrosion on reinforcement bars and concrete cover spalling are accounted. The seismic fragility curves at different points in time are obtained through nonlinear finite element analyses. The variation of the metrics of sustainability in time is presented. The effects of flood‐induced scour on both seismic fragility and metrics are also investigated. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Improved risk‐targeted performance‐based seismic design of reinforced concrete frame structures

This paper presents a procedure for seismic design of reinforced concrete structures, in which performance objectives are formulated in terms of maximum accepted mean annual frequency (MAF) of exceedance, for multiple limit states. The procedure is explicitly probabilistic and uses Cornell's like closed‐form equations for the MAFs. A gradient‐based constrained optimization technique is used for obtaining values of structural design variables (members' section size and reinforcement) satisfying multiple objectives in terms of risk levels. The method is practically feasible even for real‐sized structures thanks to the adoption of adaptive equivalent linear models where element‐by‐element stiffness reduction is performed (2 linear analyses per intensity level). General geometric and capacity design constraints are duly accounted for. The procedure is applied to a 15‐storey plane frame building, and validation is conducted against results in terms of drift profiles and MAF of exceedance, obtained by multiple‐stripe analysis with records selected to match conditional spectra. Results show that the method is suitable for performance‐based seismic design of RC structures with explicit targets in terms of desired risk levels.     

Evaluation of performance of non‐invasive upgrade strategy for beam–column sub‐assemblages of poorly designed structures under seismic type loading

Beam–column sub‐assemblages are the one of the most vulnerable structural elements to the seismic loading and may lead to devastating consequences. In order to improve the performance of the poorly/under‐designed building structures to the critical loading scenarios, introduction of steel bracing at the RC beam–column joint is found to be one of the modern and implementable techniques. In the present work, a diagonal metallic single haunch/bracing system is introduced at the beam–column joints to provide an alternate load path and to protect the joint zone from extensive damage because of brittle shear failure. In this paper, an investigation is reported on the evaluation of tae influence of different parameters, such as angle of inclination, location of bracing and axial stiffness of the single steel bracing on improving the performance through altering the force transfer mechanism. Numerical investigations on the performance of the beam–column sub‐assemblages have been carried out under cyclic loading using non‐linear finite element analysis. Experimentally validated numerical models (both GLD and upgraded specimen) have been further used for evaluating the performance of various upgrade schemes. Cyclic behaviour of reinforcement, concrete modelling based on fracture energy, bond‐slip relations between concrete and steel reinforcement have been incorporated. The study also includes the numerical investigation of crack and failure patterns, ultimate load carrying capacity, load displacement hysteresis, energy dissipation and ductility. The findings of the present study would be helpful to the engineers to develop suitable, feasible and efficient upgrade schemes for poorly designed structures under seismic loading. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seismic behavior and strength capacity of steel tube‐reinforced concrete composite columns

The steel tube‐reinforced concrete (ST‐RC) composite column is a novel type of composite column, which consists of a steel tube embedded in RC. In this paper, the seismic behavior of ST‐RC columns is examined through a series of experiments in which 10 one‐third scale column specimens were subjected to axial forces and lateral cyclic loading. The test variables include the axial force ratio applied to the columns and the amount of transverse reinforcement. All specimens failed in a flexural mode, showing stable hysteresis loops. Thanks to the steel tube and the high‐strength concrete it is filled with, the ST‐RC column specimens had approximately 30% lower axial force ratios and 22% higher maximum bending moments relative to the comparable RC columns when subjected to identical axial compressive loads. The amount of transverse reinforcement made only a small difference to the lateral load‐carrying capacity but significantly affected the deformation and energy dissipation capacity of the ST‐RC columns. The specimens that satisfied the requirements for transverse reinforcement adopted for medium ductile RC columns as specified by the Chinese Code for Seismic Design of Buildings (GB 50011‐2010) and EuroCode 8 achieved an ultimate drift ratio of around 0.03 and a displacement ductility ratio of approximately 5. The design formulas used to evaluate the strength capacity of the ST‐RC columns were developed on the basis of the superposition method. The predictions from the formulas showed good agreement with the test results, with errors no greater than 10%. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Development and assessment of damage‐to‐loss models for moment‐frame reinforced concrete buildings

The assessment of earthquake loss often requires the definition of a relation between a measure of damage and a quantity of loss, usually achieved through the employment of a damage‐to‐loss model. These models are frequently characterized by a large variability, which inevitably increases the uncertainty in the vulnerability assessment and earthquake loss estimation. This study provides an insight on the development of damage‐to‐loss functions for moment‐frame reinforced concrete buildings through an analytical methodology. Tri‐dimensional finite element models of existing reinforced concrete buildings were subjected to a number of ground motion records compatible with the seismicity in the region of interest, through nonlinear dynamic analysis. These results were used to assess, for a number of damage states, the probability distribution of loss ratio, taking into consideration member damage and different repair techniques, as well as to derive sets of fragility functions. Then, a vulnerability model (in terms of the ratio of cost of repair to cost of replacement, conditional on the level of ground shaking intensity) was derived and compared with the vulnerability functions obtained through the combination of various damage‐to‐loss models with the set of fragility functions developed herein. In order to provide realistic estimates of economic losses due to seismic action, a comprehensive study on repair costs using current Portuguese market values was also carried out. The results of this study highlight important issues in the derivation of vulnerability functions, which are a fundamental component for an adequate seismic risk assessment. © 2015 The Authors. Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.     

Pseudo‐dynamic seismic response of reinforced concrete frames infilled with non‐structural brick masonry

This paper presents pseudo‐dynamic test results on the in‐plane seismic behaviour of infilled frames. Thirteen single‐storey, single‐bay, half‐size‐scale, reinforced concrete‐frame specimens, most of which infilled with non‐structural masonry made of perforated bricks and cement mortar are tested. The infills are in contact with frames, without any connector; openings are not covered. The frames are different in their strength and details, reinforcement grade, and aspect ratio. Seismic input is the 1976 Tolmezzo (Friuli, Italy) ground acceleration, to which specimens are subjected two times: virgin and damaged by the previous test. The global seismic response of initially virgin infilled specimens considerably differs from that of bare specimens. This follows a dramatic change of properties: compared to a bare frame, the initial stiffness increases by one order of magnitude, and the peak strength more than doubles. The peak drift lessens; however, the displacement ductility demand does not. The energy demand is greater. Nevertheless, the influence of infill decreases as damage proceeds. Displacement time histories of damaged specimens are quite similar. At the local level, infill causes asymmetry and concentration of the frame deformation. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pre‐ and post‐test mathematical modelling of a plan‐asymmetric reinforced concrete frame building

Pre‐ and post‐test analyses of the structural response of a three‐storey asymmetric reinforced concrete frame building were performed, aimed at supporting test preparation and performance as well as studying mathematical modelling. The building was designed for gravity loads only. Full‐scale pseudo‐dynamic tests were performed in the ELSA laboratory in Ispra. In the paper the results of initial parametric studies, of the blind pre‐test predictions, and of the post‐test analysis are summarized. In all studies a simple mathematical model, with one‐component member models with concentrated plasticity was employed. The pre‐test analyses were performed using the CANNY program. After the test results became available, the mathematical model was improved using an approach based on a displacement‐controlled analysis. Basically, the same mathematical model was used as in pre‐test analyses, except that the values of some of the parameters were changed. The OpenSees program was employed. Fair agreement between the test and numerical results was obtained. The results prove that relatively simple mathematical models are able to adequately simulate the detailed seismic response of reinforced concrete frame structures to a known ground motion, provided that the input parameters are properly determined. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental seismic investigation of Sefid‐rud concrete buttress dam model on shaking table

Owing to the devastating M7.6 earthquake of 20 June 1990 that occurred in the northern province of Iran, Sefid‐rud concrete buttress dam located near the epicenter was severely shaken. The crack penetrated throughout the dam thickness near slope discontinuity, causing severe leakage, but with no general failure. In this study, nonlinear seismic response of the highest monolith with empty reservoir is investigated experimentally through model testing. A geometric‐scaled model of 1:30 was tested on a shaking table with high‐frequency capability to study dynamic cracking of the model and serve as data for nonlinear computer model calibration. Three construction joints are set up in the model to simulate effects of construction aspects. The experimental results are then compared with smeared crack and damage mechanics finite‐element simulations using nonlinear concrete constitutive models based on fracture mechanics. The crack patterns obtained from numerical models are in good agreement with those obtained from shaking table tests for the case of including construction joint effects and rigid foundation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of boundary element details on the seismic deformation capacity of structural walls

The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of boundary element details of structural walls on their deformation capacities. Structural walls considered in this study have different sectional shapes and/or transverse reinforcement content at the boundaries of the walls (called boundary element details hereafter). Four full‐scale wall specimens (3000mm (h_w)×1500mm (l_w)×200mm (T)) were fabricated and tested. Three specimens are rectangular in section and the other specimen has a barbell‐shaped cross‐section (a wall with boundary columns). The rectangular wall specimens are reinforced according to the common practice used for reinforced concrete residence buildings in Korea and Chile. In this study, the primary variable for these rectangular specimens is the content of transverse reinforcement to confine the boundary elements of a wall. The barbell‐shaped specimen was designed in compliance with ACI 318‐95. The response of the barbell‐shaped specimen is compared with those of other rectangular specimens. The effective aspect ratio of the specimens is set to two in this study. Based on the experimental results, it is found that the deformation capacities of walls, which are represented by displacement ductility, drift ratio and energy dissipation capacities, are affected by the boundary element details. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Tests on low‐ductility RC frames under high‐ and low‐frequency excitations

The response of low‐ductility reinforced concrete (RC) frames, designed typically for a non‐seismic region, subjected to two frequencies of base excitations is studied. Five half‐scaled, two‐bay, two‐storey, RC frames, each approximately 5 m wide by 3.3 m high, were subjected to both horizontal and/or vertical base excitations with a frequency of 40 Hz as well as a lower frequency of about 4 Hz (close to the fundamental frequency) using a shake table. The imposed acceleration amplitude ranged from 0.2 to 1.2g. The test results showed that the response characteristics of the structures differed under high‐ and low‐frequency excitations. The frames were able to sustain high‐frequency excitations without damage but were inadequate for low‐frequency excitations, even though the frames exhibited some ductility. Linear‐elastic time‐history analysis can predict reasonably well the structural response under high‐frequency excitations. As the frames were not designed for seismic loads, the reinforcement detailing may not have been adequate, based on the crack pattern observed. The effect of vertical excitation can cause significant additional forces in the columns and moment reversals in the beams. The ‘strong‐column, weak‐beam’ approach for lateral load RC frame design is supported by experimental observations. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Near‐collapse response of existing RC building under severe pulse‐type ground motion using hybrid simulation

Column shear‐axial failure is a complex response, which lends itself to physical experimentation. Reinforced concrete structures built prior to the mid‐1970s are particularly susceptible to such failure. Shear‐axial column failure has been examined and studied at the element level, but current rehabilitation practice equates such a column failure with structural collapse, neglecting the collapse resistance of the full structural system following column failure. This system‐level response can prevent a column failure from leading to progressive collapse of the entire structure. In this study, a hybrid simulation was conducted on a representative pre‐1970s reinforced concrete frame structure under severe seismic ground motion, in which three full‐scale reinforced concrete columns were tested at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. The analytical portion of the model was represented in the computer program OpenSees. Failure occurred in multiple physical specimens as a result of the ground motion, and the hybrid nature of the test allowed for observation of the system‐level response of the tested columns and the remaining structural system. The behavior of the system accounting for multiple column shear‐axial failure is discussed and characterized. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Finite element analysis of damage and failure of reinforced concrete members under earthquake loading

This paper presents a three‐dimensional analysis framework, based on the explicit finite element method, for the simulation of reinforced concrete components under cyclic static and dynamic loading. A recently developed triaxial constitutive model for concrete is combined with a material model for reinforcing steel which can account for rupture due to low‐cycle fatigue. The reinforcing bars are represented with geometrically nonlinear beam elements to account for buckling of the reinforcement. The strain penetration effect is also accounted for in the models. The modeling scheme is used in a commercial finite element program and validated with the results of experimental static and dynamic tests on reinforced concrete columns and walls. The analyses are supplemented with a parametric study to investigate the impact of several modeling assumptions on the obtained results.     

Cyclic behaviour of interior beam–column joints reinforced with plain bars

The seismic damages commonly observed on beam–column joints of old reinforced concrete structures, built with plain bars and without proper detailing, justifies the need to further study the behaviour of this type of structures. The response of these structures when loaded cyclically, as occurs during the earthquakes, is partially controlled by the bond properties between the reinforcing bars and the surrounding concrete. This paper presents the results of an experimental campaign of unidirectional cyclic tests carried out on six full‐scale beam–column joints built with plain bars. These joint specimens are representative of existing reinforced concrete structures, that is, built without adequate reinforcement detailing for seismic demands. For comparison, an additional specimen is built with deformed bars and tested. The seven specimens are designed and detailed to allow the investigation of the influence of bond properties, lapping of the longitudinal bars in columns and beams, bent‐up bars in the beams, slab contribution and concrete strength. The lateral force–drift relationships, global dissipated energy evolution, contribution of the joint, beams and columns to the global dissipated energy, ductility, equivalent damping, final damage observed, homogenized reinforced concrete damage index, displacement components, curvature evolutions and Eurocode requirements are presented and discussed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

反复荷载下型钢混凝土柱受扭损伤试验研究

为研究型钢混凝土柱在反复荷载下的受扭损伤,完成了11根型钢混凝土柱和1根钢筋混凝土柱复合受扭试验。通过试验观察了构件的受力过程和破坏特征,研究两种不同型钢混凝土柱的裂缝开展与分布规律。基于能量守恒定律,考察了柱截面配钢形式、扭弯比、轴压比、混凝土强度等级、配箍率以及配钢率对累积损伤的影响。研究结果表明:型钢混凝土柱的损伤演变分为3个阶段:弹性阶段、弹塑性阶段和破坏阶段;配钢形式、扭弯比和配箍率是影响型钢混凝土柱损伤程度的重要因素;配型钢,降低扭弯比和提高配箍率对于损伤指标分别最大降低了22.1%、14.3%和14.0%;损伤指标受轴压比、配钢率和混凝土强度等级影响程度较小。