Correlation studies on an RC frame shaking-table specimen

Abstract

This paper presents the correlation of the results of a new model for the dynamic analysis of reinforced concrete (RC) frames with the experimental time history of a two storey RC frame shaking-table specimen. The frame member model consists of separate subelements that describe the deformations due to flexure, shear and bond slip in RC structural elements. The subelements are combined by superposition of flexibility matrices to form the frame element. A non-linear solution method which accounts for the unbalance of internal forces between different subelements during a given load increment is used with the model. The ability of the proposed model to describe the dynamic response of frame structures under earthquake excitations is evaluated by comparing the analytical results with experimental evidence from a two-storey, one bay reinforced concrete frame tested on the shaking-table. The model parameters for the shaking-table specimen are derived from available experimental evidence and first principles of reinforced concrete. The effect of reinforcing bar slip on the local and global dynamic response of the test structure is assessed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.