Seismic Damage in Reinforced Concrete Frames

Seismic damage in reinforced concrete frames is predicted by analytical methods. Analytical models are developed which can reproduce the behavior of reinforced concrete members under cyclic loads. Accuracy of the analytical models is checked by considering a set of quasi-static cyclic load tests, and the models are found to be sufficiently accurate. Several damage indicators such as ductility, flexural damage ratio, dissipated energy, and cumulative plastic rotation are investigated for each experiment. Based on the test results and physical grounds, flexural damage ratio and dissipated energy are chosen as damage state parameters. The results of the present study are later used to develop a probabilistic model of member failure in reinforced concrete structures.