Simplified FE model for RC structures under earthquakes

This paper presents work that is an extension of a nonlinear finite-element model with proved capacity for yielding realistic predictions of the response of reinforced-concrete (RC) structures under static monotonic and cyclic loading.1,2 The material model adopted is simpler than most models in current use, and it relies essentially on three key properties: triaxiality, brittleness and independency of both loading rate and load path.3 The existing nonlinear finite-element program for static loads is presently modified to extend its use for the solution of nonlinear dynamic problems, and the resulting package is employed to investigate the behaviour of RC structures under earthquake loading. The aim of the presented case studies is to illustrate the numerical stability of the nonlinear scheme and its ability to provide realistic predictions through a comparative study between numerical and experimental data.