Damage localization length in RC frame components: Mechanical analysis and experimental observations

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2020

Authors

Nuno Pereira (Author) Other; Xavier Romão (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Engineering Structures

Vol. 221

Pages: 1-16

ISSN: 0141-0296

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 2 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00S-FFE

DOI: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2020.111026

Abstract (EN): Estimating the extent of reinforced concrete (RC) frame components that may be damaged after an earthquake and the corresponding connection with the physical mechanisms that lead to damage accumulation is of the upmost importance when deciding retrofitting solutions, evaluating the potential repair cost or when selecting a nonlinear modelling technique to be used in seismic demand quantifications. However, relevant criteria to quantify this length (the damage localization length, LD) are still not well defined, leading to the usual adoption of the equivalent plastic hinge length as a reference value for it. To provide further insights on this issue, a mechanical interpretation of the different mechanisms contributing to the damage localization at LD is provided. These mechanisms are formulated in terms of the size-dependent behaviour of the constitutive materials at their ultimate state, namely the strength and stiffness deterioration of the concrete and reinforcing steel compressive and tensile responses. Furthermore, a database including multiple experimental records of the length where substantial damage was observed in RC frame components is compiled from the technical literature. The experimental data is used to assess the adequacy of each of the referred mechanisms to model the observed damage patterns. Recommendations are then made on the most adequate way to quantify LD depending on the characteristics of different RC frame components. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 16