Test Study on Size Effect Characteristics of Mechanical Performanceof Pure Bending Plastic Hinge in RC Members

Abstract

Studies on size effect of plastic hinge of RC members are still rare at the present stage. This paper explores the development and failure characteristics of plastic hinge of pure bending section and analysis relevant mechanical parameters of size effect. Measured tests data show that plastic hinge equivalent length is close to the depth of beam which has no obvious size effect. However, plastic rotation capacity of plastic hinge has a significant size effect. Plastic rotation capacity decreases with section size increases if evaluate it based on ultimate load state, and increases with section size increases if evaluate it based on measured max load state.