Damage mechanics applied to performance‐based design of reinforced concrete columns

Abstract

SummaryPerformance‐based design methodology is based on reaching performance objectives that are associated to certain damage conditions. These performance objectives are related to the seismic hazard and to the performance levels. In actual application, reliable tools are required for capturing the evolution of the damage condition as well as for measuring and locating it. Moreover, it is essential to accurately establish the relationship between the damage and the performance levels. This paper shows the application of damage mechanics to performance‐based design. A layered damage mechanics‐based finite element program is presented with a discussion on modeling for prediction of the response of normal‐strength and high‐strength concrete columns subjected to cyclic flexural loading and various axial load levels. The damage indices derived from these analyses were used to elaborate several damage charts expressed as a function of drift and displacement ductility. This makes it possible to establish a relationship between the damage state and the performance levels. Results have demonstrated the ability of the damage mechanics modeling to accurately predict the behavior of the specimens tested. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.