Study of Problems in Nonlinear Pushover Analysis of RC Frames

A Multi-segment beam element was proposed to study effects of several primary factors involved in the nonlinear pushover analysis on the calculated capacity curve of reinforced concrete frame structures. Analytical results have indicated that the use of traditional dumped hinge beam element couldn\u27t trace the spread of the plastic hinge region as the increase of deformation. The axial load in both side columns of a frame structure might be increased up to three times of their initial levels induced by the dead load. It has also been made clear that the P-delta effect must be taken into consideration as modeling the structural components since it may not only decrease the ultimate capacity, but also change the failure mechanism of the frame