Simplified Method for Estimating Energy-Dissipation Capacity of Flexure-Dominant RC Members

휨지배 철근콘크리트 부재의 에너지 소산능력 평가방법

As advanced earthquake analysis/design methods such as the nonlinear static analysis are developed, it is required to estimate precisely the cyclic behavior of reinforced concrete members that is characterized by strength, deformability, and capacity of energy dissipation. However, currently, estimation of energy dissipation depends on empirical equations that are not sufficiently accurate, or experiment and sophisticated numerical analysis which are difficult to use in practice. In the present study, nonlinear finite element analysis was performed to investigate the behavioral characteristics of flexure-dominant RC members under cyclic load. The effects of axial force, arrangement of reinforcing bars, and reinforcement ratio on the cyclic behavior were studied. Based on the investigation, a simplified method to estimate the capacity of energy dissipation was proposed, and it was verified by the comparison with the finite element analyses and experiments. The proposed method can estimate the energy dissipation of RC members more precisely than currently used empirical equations, and it is easily applicable in practice.