A Model to predict the non-linear shear and flexural behaviour of RC elements subjected to cyclic loading

Abstract

The development and implementation of an integrated numerical model to predict the nonlinear response of RC structural elements, including nonlinear flexural and shear behaviour, is proposed and discussed. The presence of RC elements with dominant behaviour in shear is quite common in a significant number of existing and new buildings. Severe damages and/or collapse of buildings have been observed in recent earthquakes due to disregarding of the shear behaviour of these stocky elements. The main objective of the work proposed is the development of a numerical model able to simulate the cyclic behaviour of RC elements subjected to cyclic loads, as the induced by earthquakes. The proposed model would allow to better estimate the nonlinear response of RC buildings under severe ground motions, combining the nonlinear flexural behaviour with the nonlinear shear behaviour. The proposed model for nonlinear shear behaviour has been implemented in the computer program VisualANL and was calibrated with experimental results on full-scale tests on RC columns.