Analyzing cyclic loading behavior of concrete structures: A peridynamic approach with softening models and validation

Abstract

This study introduces a bond-based peridynamic (BB-PD) approach for analyzing concrete structures under cyclic loading, with the aim of comprehensively addressing crack propagation and concrete crushing phenomena. The model’s generality is enhanced by eliminating the need for calibration. Additionally, a practical method is proposed to incorporate the hardening effect of steel bars, making it applicable to reinforced concrete structures. The accuracy of the approach is evaluated through numerical examples under various loading conditions, and the results are validated by comparing them with standard experiments using an implicit arc-length method. By eliminating the use of constant or adaptive parameters typically found in explicit methods, the arc-length method, combined with the proposed material model, effectively captures the behavior of both ordinary and reinforced concretes subjected to cyclic loading.