A review of flexibility-based finite element method for beam-column elements

For material nonlinear problem,elements derived with the flexibility-based method are more accurate than classical elements derived with the stiffness-based method. A review of the current state of the art of the flexibility-based finite element method is provided to enhance the robustness of structure analysis. The research on beam-column elements is the mainstream in the research on flexibility-based finite element method at present. The original development of flexibility-based finite element method is reviewed, and the further development of this method is then presented in several specific aspects, such as geometrically nonlinear analysis and dynamic analysis. The further research needed to be carried out in the future is finally discussed.

Design on the Prestressed Concrete Frame Beam-column

A bidirectional ribbed concrete beam slab structure was widly adopted for the upper space of industrial buildings.To maintain ample space and minimize the presence of conventional columns,a bidirectional prestressed concrete beam is often employed.The intersection node of the prestressed concrete frame beam column was characterized by a high density of steel reinforcement,significant structural loads,and complex construction requirements.To ensure the quality,safety,and progress of prestressed frame beamcolumn intersection nodes during construction,this article proposed a new technology for constructing such nodes,which includes setting the tensioning and haunching ends of nodes at different positions,using ABAQUS finite element software to optimize the design of cross-sectional dimensions,conducting stress analysis simulations.

Stiffness degradation-based damage model for RC members and structures using fiber-beam elements

To meet the demand for an accurate and highly efficient damage model with a distinct physical meaning for performance-based earthquake engineering applications, a stiffness degradation-based damage model for reinforced concrete （RC） members and structures was developed using fiber beam-column elements. In this model, damage indices for concrete and steel fibers were defined by the degradation of the initial reloading modulus and the low-cycle fatigue law. Then, section, member, story and structure damage was evaluated by the degradation of the sectional bending stiffness, rod-end bending stiffness, story lateral stiffness and structure lateral stiffness, respectively. The damage model was realized in Matlab by reading in the outputs of OpenSees. The application of the damage model to RC columns and a RC frame indicates that the damage model is capable of accurately predicting the magnitude, position, and evolutionary process of damage, and estimating stow damage more precisely than inter-story drift. Additionally, the damage model establishes a close connection between damage indices at various levels without introducing weighting coefficients or force-displacement relationships. The development of the model has perfected the damage assessment function of OpenSees, laying a solid foundation for damage estimation at various levels of a large-scale structure subjected to seismic loading.

Investigation of the interior RC beam-column joints under monotonic antisymmetrical load

The paper presents numerical findings of reinforced concrete interior beam-column joints under monotonic antisymmetrical load.The finite element models considered compression and tension damage were calibrated by test results in terms of the load-displacement,failure modes,and strains of longitudinal steel.The emphasis was put on studying the effects of hoop reinforcement ratio in joint core and the axial compression ratio on the responses of the joints.The results show that,in addition to the truss and strut-and-tie mechanisms,the confinement mechanism also existed in the joint core.A certain amount of stirrup is not only able to enhance the confinement in joint core,undertake a part of shear force and thus to increase the shear capacity,prevent the outward buckling of steel bars in column,improve the stress distribution in joint core,delay cracking and restrain the propagation of cracks,but also to increase the yield load,decrease the yield displacement of beam and improve the joint ductility.However,excessive horizontal stirrups contribute little to the joint performance.In a certain range,larger axial compression ratio is beneficial for the joint mechanical behavior,while it is negative when axial compression ratio is too large.

Damage evaluation of reinforced concrete frame based on a combined fiber beam model

In order to analyze and simulate the impact collapse or seismic response of the reinforced concrete(RC)structures,a combined fiber beam model is proposed by dividing the cross section of RC beam into concrete fiber and steel fiber.The stress-strain relationship of concrete fiber is based on a model proposed by concrete codes for concrete structures.The stress-strain behavior of steel fiber is based on a model suggested by others.These constitutive models are implemented into a general finite element program ABAQUS through the user defined subroutines to provide effective computational tools for the inelastic analysis of RC frame structures.The fiber model proposed in this paper is validated by comparing with experiment data of the RC column under cyclical lateral loading.The damage evolution of a three-dimension frame subjected to impact loading is also investigated.