The V-MVLE model for cyclic failure behavior simulation of planar RC members

Abstract

As a widely used planar structural component, the reinforced concrete (RC) shear wall in service is usually subjected to axial, bending and shear loading, possessing high dissymmetry damage mechanics of concrete and failure mode of steel bars. To obtain a satisfactory level of simulation accuracy for the cyclic failure behavior of RC shear walls, progresses were made both in microscopic and macroscopic modeling method. In this study, a hybrid planar model based on vector form intrinsic finite element (VFIFE) and macroscopic multi-vertical line element (MVLE) was proposed, which combined the merits of detailed response of the microscopic model and high calculation efficiency of the macroscopic model. Owing to particle-based formulation along the path element, no assembling of a global stiffness matrix was required by the VFIFE method, which attributed the advantages in large deformation and reinforcement fracture behavior analysis for the proposed model during cyclic failure phase. Via the proposed hybrid model of MVLE, the RC shear walls with various parameters, involving axial compression ratios and height–weight​ ratios, were simulated to allow comparison between the experimental and analytical results in reversed cyclic tests, which demonstrated good agreement and satisfied calculation efficiency.