Plastic‐damage analysis of reinforced concrete frames

Abstract

PurposeThe 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.Design/methodology/approachThe 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.FindingsUsing the proposed framework numerical examples are finally included. From the obtained results, the advantages and limitation of the proposed model are observed.Originality/valueThe numeric model presented is useful to solve multi‐storey reinforced concrete frames using an inexpensive procedure that combines structural finite elements (beams) of low execution cost, with the moment‐curvature constitutive models deriving from classic stress‐strain ones. The proposed techniques give an inexpensive and reliability procedure to model the frame structures.