Dynamic relaxation method for load capacity analysis of reinforced concrete elements

Abstract

In this paper, an analysis method for the nonlinear behavior of reinforced concrete elements subjected to short-term static loads is proposed. The range of inelastic properties for the structural materials is considered, and the deformation processes of reinforced concrete bar elements are modeled. The structural material properties are modeled using the assumptions from plastic flow theory. The load capacity analysis method for the structural system is developed using the finite difference method. The dynamic relaxation method with critical damping allows for describing the static behavior of a structural element, which is used to solve the nonlinear equilibrium equations. To increase the effectiveness of the method for post-critical analysis, the arc-length parameter on the equilibrium path is included. Numerical experiments for a reinforced concrete beam and eccentrically loaded column are run. Comparative analysis with previously published experimental, numerical, and analytical results demonstrated that the proposed computational method is very effective.