Nonlinear dynamic analysis of reinforced concrete frames under extreme loadings

This research focuses on improvements and application of 1D finite elements for nonlinear dynamic analysis of reinforced concrete frames under extreme loadings. The concept of force interpolation is adopted for the element formulation and a solution scheme developed based on a total secant stiffness approach that provides good convergence characteristics. The geometrical nonlinearities including 2nd order P-Delta effects as well as catenary action are considered in the element formulation. It is shown that geometrical nonlinearities may have a significant effect on member (structure) response within extreme loading scenarios.In the analysis of structures subjected to extreme loadings, accurately modelling of the post peak response is vital and, in this respect, the objectivity of the solution with softening must be maintained. The softening of concrete under compression is taken into account, and the objectivity preserved, by adopting a nonlocal damage model for the compressive concrete. The capability of nonlocal flexibility-based formulation for capturing the post-peak response of reinforced concrete beam-columns is demonstrated by numerical examples.The 1D frame element model is extended for the modelling of 3D framed structures using a simplified torque-twist model that is developed to take account of interaction between normal and tangential forces at the section level. This simplified model can capture the variation of element torsional stiffness due to presence of axial force, bending moment and shear and is efficient and is shown to provide a reasonable degree of accuracy for the analysis of 3D reinforced concrete frames.The formulations and solution algorithms developed are tested for static and dynamic analysis of reinforced concrete framed structures with examples on impact analysis of beams, dynamic analysis of frames and progressive collapse assessment of frames taken from the literature. The verification shows that the formulation is very efficient and is capable of modelling of large scale framed structures, under extreme loads, quickly and with accuracy