An applied model for steel reinforced concrete columns

Though extensive research has been carried out for the ultimate strength of steel reinforced concrete (SRC) members under static and cyclic load, there was only limited information on the applied analysis models. Modeling of the inelastic response of SRC members can be accomplished by using a microcosmic model. However, generally used microcosmic model, which usually contains a group of parameters, is too complicated to apply in the nonlinear structural computation for large whole buildings. The intent of this paper is to develop an effective modeling approach for the reliable prediction of the inelastic response of SRC columns. Firstly, five SRC columns were tested under cyclic static load and constant axial force. Based on the experimental results, normalized trilinear skeleton curves were then put forward. Theoretical equation of normalizing point (ultimate strength point) was built up according to the load-bearing mechanism of RC columns and verified by the 5 specimens in this test and 14 SRC columns from parallel tests. Since no obvious strength deterioration and pinch effect were observed from the load-displacement curve, hysteresis rule considering only stiffness degradation was proposed through regression analysis. Compared with the experimental results, the applied analysis model is so reasonable to capture the overall cyclic response of SRC columns that it can be easily used in both static and dynamic analysis of the whole SRC structural systems.