Seismic response of 1/2 scaled two storey reinforced concrete moment resisting frame system using nonlinear static analysis

Abstract

Reinforced concrete (RC) frame systems represent one of the structural solutions used in seismic zones by engineers. For this reason, the importance of knowing the real seismic response for these types of structures is essential and presents the research problem studied in this article. Thus, the seismic response for two storey axial RC frame (one bay-one span) system was studied using nonlinear static analysis in ATENA software. The structural degradation of the two storey RC frame system was investigated for several steel reinforcement possibilities and three distinct RC beams cross sections. Particular attention was paid to RC beam-column joints degradation areas and to seismic energy dissipation mechanism in the marginal regions of the RC columns. Thus, it was observed a nonlinear inelastic response in the potential degradation zones with contrary effects with respect to the specified conclusions in the current seismic design norms. Also, it was studied the RC slab bending stiffness influence to horizontal structural elements (RC beams) and to vertical structural elements (RC columns) alongside the cracking mode for horizontal static actions and RC slab local degradation beside RC beam-column joint area. In these conditions, conclusions regarding the seismic response of the moment resisting (MR) RC frame system with low height regime designed according to the current seismic code were specified and an unsatisfactory seismic response was proved.