PREDICTION OF LOAD-DISPLACEMENT CURVE OF HIGH-STRENGTH CONCRETE COLUMNS UNDER SIMULATED SEISMIC LOADING

This paper presents an analytical method for the prediction of load-fl exural deformation curve of reinforced concrete columns subjected to s imulated seismic lending. The method is based on a finite element appr oach which allows for the spreading of inelasticity along file member. The effect of lateral confinement by transverse reinforcement is incl uded in the uniaxial stress-strain relations of confined core concrete . The effect of the configuration of transverse steel and the presence of stain gradient on confinement,lt effectiveness is considered by in troducing two confinement effectiveness factors in the stress-strain m odel of confined high-strength concrete. The influence of the differen ce between plastic hinge length assumed in the analysis and the gauge length used in the measurement of stress-strain relations of concrete is also considered in the analysis. The accuracy of predictions of the method has been verified by comparing the hysteretic load deformation curves obtained from the computer program with the experimental resul ts published in the literature.