Experimental investigation of damage behavior of RC frame members including non-seismically designed columns

Reinforced concrete （RC） frame structures are one of the mostly common used structural systems, and their seismic performance is largely determined by the performance of columns and beams. This paper describes horizontal cyclic loading tests often column and three beam specimens, some of which were designed according to the current seismic design code and others were designed according to the early non-seismic Chinese design code, aiming at reporting the behavior of the damaged or collapsed RC frame strctures observed during the Wenchuan earthquake. The effects of axial load ratio, shear span ratio, and transverse and longitudinal reinforcement ratio on hysteresis behavior, ductility and damage progress were incorporated in the experimental study. Test results indicate that the non-seismically designed columns show premature shear failure, and yield larger maximum residual crack widths and more concrete spalling than the seismically designed columns. In addition, longitudinal steel reinforcement rebars were severely buckled. The axial load ratio and shear span ratio proved to be the most important factors affecting the ductility, crack opening width and closing ability, while the longitudinal reinforcement ratio had only a minor effect on column ductility, but exhibited more influence on beam ductility. Finally, the transverse reinforcement ratio did not influence the maximum residual crack width and closing ability of the seismically designed columns.

Finite Element Calculation of the Flexural Stiffness of Corroded RC Eccentric Compressive Members

A finite element calculation model of corroded RC eccentric compressive members was build using finite element software ANSYS. The model considers the decline of mechanical properties and the effective section of a corroded steel bar,as well as the deterioration of bond character between corroded reinforcement and concrete. The reliability of the finite element model was evaluated by comparing the results of the finite element calculation with the data from experiments. Based on the finite element analysis results,the influence of corrosion degree,the diameter change of the longitudinal reinforcing bars and the spacing change of stirrups on the flexural stiffness were calculated and analyzed.

Ultimate Strength of Annular Reinforced Concrete Members Under Combined Actions

Annular reinforced concrete(RC) members are commonly used in bridge structures and offshore platforms. These RC members often fail under the combined actions of axial force, bending moment, shear force and torsion load in hazards of earthquake and wind. It is very important to study the failure mechanism of annular RC members under combined actions. This study proposes a model to analyze the ultimate strength of annular RC members under combined actions using limit failure theory. A new method is established to determine the geometric parameters of the warped failure surface, and the new calculation model for the ultimate strength is obtained using the equilibrium conditions based on the geometric parameters and the stress distribution on the failure surface. The proposed model calculations are compared with a series of experimental results of annular RC members, and they correspond well with the experimental results. The proposed model is feasible for engineering application.