Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center: Seismic Behavior of Bridge Columns Subjected To Various Loading Patterns
Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center: Seismic Behavior of Bridge Columns Subjected To Various Loading Patterns
)
W=PSin()
V
V'H P'
L
H
V
P
L
H
P
P
M
V'=[V-PSin()]
P'=PCos()
=(L-H)Sin()=Cos()-HSin()
Figure 3.4 Effects of P- in the conventional setup, as discussed here
A detailed discussion is provided here on the method used by Mander (Dutta, Mander,
and Kokorina, 1999), where a complicated test configuration compared to the aforesaid post-
tensioning method was employed to apply a vertical axial load so that the possible P- error is
avoided.
3.1.3 Mander et al.: Method and Discussions
Mander (Dutta, Mander, and Kokorina, 1999) proposed that then-existing test methods did not
correctly model the P- effects. Figure 3.5 shows the effects of axial loading on the specimen
and contrasts them with how the tests should be conducted to properly reflect the true P-
effects.
15
Figure 3.5 Effects of P- in the conventional and modified setup, as discussed by Mander
From Figure 3.5 it is evident that at the base of the column where the bending moments
are the largest when under lateral load, there is an additional secondary moment due to the
columns lateral deflected shape. This secondary moment is equal to P- that arises from the
deviation in the axial force vector from the bent column axis. The experimental P- moment is
less than the correct P- moment, where P should always be aligned vertically.
16
Figure 3.6 Modifications in test setup, proposed by Mander, for the application of
the axial load
To rectify the experimental deficiency in the secondary P- moments, it is necessary to
ensure that the experimental axial load (as applied by an actuator system) be truly vertical. To
this end a strong-floor-based column testing rig at the State University of New York, Buffalo,
was modified as shown in Figure 3.6. The vertical load is applied by a lever beam system
connected to a secondary frame. This frame is connected to a second (lower) actuator. The
displacements of this actuator are slaved to the top actuator that is the primary driver in the
experiment. The axial load is controlled by a vertical servo-hydraulic actuator (250 kN) mounted
on the secondary frame at the eastern end and a 35 mm diameter high-strength threadbar at the
western end via a lever beam mounted on top of the column. The frame is supported by two 32
mm diameter high-strength threadbars at the western end and two 25.4 mm diameter bars of the
same variety at the eastern end. These bars in turn pass through specially constructed I-beams
with oversized tubular gaps along the web and anchored at the bottom via washers and locking
nuts. The I-beams were supported on elastomeric bearings and prestressed to the laboratory
strong floor. The lateral load was applied to the specimen by a 500 kN capacity 127 mm stroke
MTS servo-hydraulic actuator at a height of 2712 mm from the top of the foundation beam. One
17
end of the actuator was attached to the specimen through the actuator end plate and another end
of the actuator was bolted to the extension and connected to the reaction frame. The angle of
inclination of this top actuator was varied from 0 degrees in the variable amplitude testing to
26.2 degrees in the random seismic input testing. This was deliberately done to model the effect
of uplift forces that arise from a combination of the framing action and vertical motion. A second
horizontal actuator with a load capacity of 1100 kN and 102 mm displacement capacity was
attached to the horizontal frame and traced the same displacement pattern (displacement
slaved) as the top actuator. This automatically ensured that the line of application of the axial
load was kept vertical at all times, thereby eliminating any possibilities of P- error. To prevent
sliding of the specimen under lateral load, the foundation beam was anchored to the laboratorys
457 mm thick strong floor by applying prestress of 250 kN to each of the 25 mm diameter high-
strength threadbars. These threadbars passed through 76 mm steel pipes that were cast in the
foundation beam, giving a total hold-down prestress of 1000 kN. Therefore, by assuming a
conservative value for the coefficient of friction of about 0.5 between the concrete specimen and
the concrete strong floor, the dependable resistance against sliding is 500 kN. This was
considerably greater than the lateral load capacity expected for this class of specimen.
3.1.4 Discussion and Comments
The P- effect, the primary issue discussed by Mander et al., can be viewed from a different
perspective. The P- errors in a conventional test setup with post-tensioning bars can be
corrected by properly interpreting the data. There is no difference between the patterns of force
application in Figure 3.4 and Figure 3.7, while the P effect may be considered as shown in
Figure 3.7, where M VH P = + , and is as indicated in the figure. Now, even if the same is
used as in Figure 3.4, as shown in the figure:
18
H
M
V'=V-Psin(a)
=(L-H)Sin()
=ArcTan(/L)
P'=P.cos()
P
V
Jack used to apply the
post-tensioning force.
Figure 3.7 P effect as in Figure 3.4
2 2
( ) sin( ) ( )( ) L H L H
L
= =
+
(3.1)
and the corresponding moment at the column base is:
2 2 2 2 2 2
( )( ) ( ) ( )
L
P P L H P P H
L L L
= =
+ + +
(3.2)
or
cos( ) sin( ) P P P H = (3.3)
Now, considering the moment at the column interface with the footing:
( ) ( )
[ ( )] ( )
M VH P VH PCos PSin H
V PSin H PCos
= + = + =
+
(3.4)
Let
'
[ ( )] V V PSin = and
'
( ) P PCos = , therefore:
' '
M V H P = + (3.5)
In the above equation, P.sin() is the restoring force of the post-tensioning bar, and
P.cos() is the vertical load. As shown in Figure 3.5(b), it is clear that the true lateral force to the
column is:
'
sin( ) V V P = (3.6)
19
and the vertical load is:
'
cos( ) P P = (3.7)
Note that
'
P P , since is typically small. It can be concluded that the conventional method of
post-tensioning is valid without any deficiency so long as the true forces are used in data
analysis.
3.1.5 Method Developed at USC Structural Lab
A system that enables testing of concrete columns in a large-scale model has been developed at
the University of Southern California (Xiao and Henry, 2002). As shown in Figure 3.8, the
testing system utilizes two actuators with 1,334 kN (300 kips) capacity for cyclic loading in both
the lateral and axial directions of the column specimen. An axial force as large as 6,000 kN
(about 1,300 kips) can be loaded through a specially designed lever arm that amplifies the force
output of one of the actuators by six times. Figure 3.9 schematically illustrates the concepts of
the lever arm system for axial loading. By setting the distance between the axis of vertical
connectors and the column axis to be l/5 of the distance between the vertical actuator and the
column axis, a force of 5 times the actuator force can be generated in the vertical connectors. By
considering the vertical equilibrium condition of the lever arm, one can easily understand that the
axial load applied to the column specimen is 6 times the vertical actuator force. As also shown in
Figure 3.9, if a lateral displacement is induced, the applied axial load becomes inclined, and
thus the true vertical load subjected to the column is the vertical component of the applied axial
load. It can be shown that for a small deformation ( <5%h), the true vertical load and the
applied axial load can be considered approximately the same. On the other hand, the inclination
of the applied axial load corresponding to has a horizontal component (V1 and V2, Figure
3.10). Because this horizontal component is not negligible compared with the lateral load
capacity of the column, it must be subtracted from the applied lateral load to obtain the true
lateral force carried by the column specimen.
20
1300 KN Actuator
S
p
e
c
i
m
e
n
Displacement
Transducer
1
3
0
0
K
N
A
c
t
u
a
t
o
r
I
n
t
e
r
n
a
l
L
i
n
e
a
r
D
i
s
p
l
a
c
e
m
e
n
t
T
r
a
n
s
d
u
c
e
r
Load Cell
L
o
a
d
C
e
l
l
Internal Linear Displacement Transducer
Multi-Axis
Control
System
Strain Gages
Linear
Potentiometers
C
o
m
m
a
n
d
C
o
m
m
a
n
d
Data
Logger
Figure 3.8 Outline of test setup for application of lateral force (displacement) and a
constant, proportionally variable, or nonproportionally variable axial load
Figure 3.9 Lever arm system for axial loading
21
V1
F
V2
Figure 3.10 Restoring forces resulting from inclination
Figure 3.11 Overturning moment and resulting axial load
3.2 PROPORTIONALLY VARIABLE AXIAL LOADING
In a multicolumn bent, as a consequence of the overturning moment, F.H, axial forces, which are
proportional to the lateral force, are imposed in the outermost columns (Figure 3.11). If the
horizontal member is assumed to be rigid enough, the resulting reactions are as shown in the
figure, in which
N=FH/2S and M=FH/4
Therefore to simulate the aforesaid loading case, for a lateral force V applied on the
column, we should apply an axial load proportional to the lateral force so that
N/V=H/S
where N is the axial force. Such a condition can be simulated by controlling the applied forces
following the proportion (Figure 3.8). This proportionality can also be realized through an
inclined force, where the angle of inclination is determined based on the actual structure to be
simulated. The angle of inclination , has a tangent equal to the height/span ratio of H/S. The
22
inclination angle of the actuator determines the coefficient of proportionality, which is
approximately constant for small deflections.
For a case in which H=2S, the angle is tan
-1
(2)=63.43 degrees and for a case in which
H=S, the angle is tan
-1
(1)=45 degrees. Figure 3.12 shows the setup configuration used for a
proportionally variable axial load in the current study. The angle is 47.3 degrees, which is used
as an angle close to 45 degrees due to instrument limitations.
Linear
Potentiometers
Strain Gages
Displacement
Transducer
1
3
0
0
K
N
A
c
t
u
a
t
o
r
In
te
rn
a
l L
in
e
a
r D
is
p
la
c
e
m
e
n
t T
ra
n
s
d
u
c
e
r
S
p
e
c
i
m
e
n
L
o
a
d
C
e
ll
47.32
Degrees
C
o
m
m
a
n
d
Data
Logger
Multi-Axis
Control
System
Figure 3.12 Setup configuration for a proportionally variable axial load
3.3 NONPROPORTIONALLY VARIABLE AXIAL LOADING
Besides the overturning effect where an axial load proportional to the lateral force is imposed, as
discussed previously, columns are also subjected to axial loads that are nonproportional to
horizontal loading due to the vertical ground motions. It has been shown that in some cases
particularly for near-fault situations, the vertical ground motions cannot be neglected. The effects
of vertical motions are equally important to the design of bridge piers. In this study, the large-
scale testing facility at the USC Structural Lab was upgraded to simulate loading conditions with
cyclic lateral forces and nonproportionally variable axial loads. As shown in Figure 3.8, the axial
load applied by the vertical actuator and the horizontal force applied by the horizontal actuator
were controlled to follow a predetermined path. To simulate a certain loading pattern, the effect
of the restoring forces should be considered and implemented in the process of loading control.
23
3.3.1 Multi-Axis Loading Control System
The objectives of the overall research program required testing several specimens under specific
loading patterns, in addition to the cases with a constant axial load and a proportionally variable
axial load. To achieve a predetermined loading pattern in a test, a control system was developed.
A brief description is presented here of the requirements for a simple case of the load or
displacement control pattern, for which the actuators can be programmed through an interface
with a computer.
One Cycle
Force or
Displacement
(D1) or F1
(D2) or F2
Repeat or
change to
new
program
T0 T1 T2
T3 T4
T5
T0 T1
Displacement
D1
T1 T3 T2
D2
0,0
Actuator 1
T1 T2 T3 T4
T5
Program Time
Real Time
Actuator 2
Force
Figure 3.13 Requirement for the control system, and a sample of two axis controls
(displacement and force)
General Requirements
Force Control
Control Input Parameters:
1. Target Force, F
1
, (can be tension, compression, or zero)
24
2. Loading rate to reach F
1
; or T1, time required to reach F
1
3. Time: T2 or (T2-T1); i.e., the duration for maintaining F
1
4. Target Force, F
2
(can be tension, compression, or zero)
5. Loading rate to reach, F
2
or T4
6. T5 or (T5-T4), i.e., the duration for maintaining F
2
7. Number of Repeating Cycles
8. Termination Command (the choice of terminating the process, if necessary, at any time.)
Displacement Control
Same as (1 to 8) above, except for target displacement
1
and
2
(instead of F
1
and F
2
). Note
that the two actuators may be used at the same time with different control parameters (force and
displacement) and patterns. Figure 3.13 shows the requirements as stated above, and a sample
application in which the first actuator is displacement control and the second one is force control.
Devices
The system, implemented at the USC Structural Lab for conducting tests with a
nonproportionally variable axial load, consists of two actuators, the PMC-6270 Motion Control
Box, and a PC (or a terminal). This system is used to operate the two existing actuators with
predetermined load or displacement patterns. Each actuator can be in either force or
displacement control mode, independently and simultaneously. This section provides a brief
description of the system. The system has different features and capabilities that may be utilized
based on the needs.
Actuators
The horizontal actuator has a stroke of 18 inches, with a valve that requires a voltage of 24 DC-V
and a current of 2 amps for operation, and a servo (that drives the valve) which in turn is
commanded by a command voltage of 10 Volts to +10 Volts, in the two different directions.
The voltage and current required for valve operation are independent of the command voltage. It
means that the current or voltage to control the valve comes from the control box and is
programmed based on test requirements. This current or voltage directs the movement of the
actuator and its rate, while the current and voltage for valve operation provides the energy for the
25
operation and can be supplied by any other reliable source. The vertical actuator has a stroke of 9
inches, with a valve that does not require an external voltage and current for operation.
Figure 3.14 Internal linear displacement transducer
Both actuators have an internal LDT (Linear Displacement Transducer) which is actually
a resistor installed along the longitudinal direction of the actuator. When a constant base voltage
is applied to the resistor (e.g., constant voltage=b-a, as in Figure 3.14), the position of the
actuator can be detected by the return voltage (feedback voltage) from the actuator, which comes
from a sliding contact on the resistor. As an example, suppose that the total stroke of an actuator
is L inches and that the LDT (actually the resistor) exactly covers this stroke length. It means that
when the actuator is not stretched, the sliding contact is at the beginning, resulting in zero
resistance between the initial point and the contact point; and when it is completely stretched
(maximum stroke) the sliding contact is at the end of the resistor, resulting in the maximum
possible resistance which is equal to the total resistance of the LDT resistor. Also assume that the
actuator has been stretched for m inches from the completely unstretched condition. Since there
is a linear relation between the resistance, current, and voltage (V=IR, where V=Voltage,
I=Current, R=Resistance), the actuator position (amount of stretch) can easily be detected by the
feedback voltage from the sliding contact.
( )
c
m L
b a
=
(3.8)
This feedback is used by the control box to determine the command, considering the
commanded position, the required velocity, and other parameters.
A homemade load cell is installed on each actuator, which can be used as a feedback
device, for the applied force by the actuator when the actuator is used in the force control mode.
26
By using the base voltage and the load factor of the load cell, the coefficient to convert the
feedback voltage to force can easily be obtained.
Each actuator has three main sets of wires. The first set includes 3 wires coming from the
internal LDT, which are connected to the initial, sliding contact, and final points. The second set
has 2 wires for the command, one (red wire) for the positive (+) command line, the other (black)
for the negative (). The third set includes the two outputs of the homemade load cell consisting
of 16 electrical resistant strain gauges configured in two full-bridge circuits. The two outputs of
the load cell can be used independently for measurement of the applied load by the
corresponding actuator, or as a feedback for the force control mode cases, when a proper base
voltage is used. The horizontal actuator has one more set of wires, used solely to provide the
voltage and current required for the valve operation.
Control Box (PMC-6270)
The control box is a stand-alone, two axis motion controller. It does not need any computational
device, like a PC, except as a terminal. This box provides sophisticated two axis control of any
servo system driven by a voltage (from 10 to +10 volts) or a current (at different levels). The
box implements a dual processor approach, comprising a microprocessor for executing high-
level motion programs, and a digital signal processor (DSP) for high-speed, sophisticated servo
control. The box can handle three different types of feedback: linear displacement transducers
(LDTs), incremental encoder, or analog inputs (with the ANI option installed, as for the box). It
should be mentioned that the internal LDTs of the existing actuators fall in the third group,
which provide an analog signal feedback, while the external LDTs are usually digital, or pulse-
based.
The control box has its own programming language. The user has the option of inputting
a direct command. The single command issued by the user will only be executed and the process
will stop until the next command. The commands can also be grouped as a program that can be
saved either in the box or on the connected computer. In this case when the program is loaded,
the commands within it will be executed in turn like any other procedural program on a
computer. When using programs, special care should be given to the process and to the way the
actuators are interrelated in terms of the movement or force in the program. It is always a good
idea to interrelate the axes in the program so that failure of either one stops the whole process.
27
This guarantees that the test either proceeds on the proper path or, otherwise, stops. Support
software for the Microsoft Windows and DOS operating environments is a standard provision
with the 6270.
The features of the box may be summarized as follows:
1 or 2 axes of control for current-driven or voltage-driven servo systems; feedback from
linear displacement transducer (LDT) or incremental encoder feedback (or voltage feedback
with ANI option, as is the case for the system used in current study)
Controls electric servo drives in the velocity or torque mode
Digital signal processor (DSP) for servo control (digital proportional, integral, and velocity
feedback, plus acceleration and velocity feedforward-PIV&F)
DOS support disk
Motion Architect for Windows
Windows-based visual data gathering and tuning aid available when using the Motion
Architect Servo Tuner option (can be ordered for an easier operational interface)
40,000 bytes of nonvolatile memory for storing programs; 150,000 bytes are available with
the -M option (optional)
Capability to interrupt program execution on error conditions
Multi-axis teaching mode
S-curve motion profiling
2-axis linear interpolation
Ratio following, position following, advance and retard variable storage, conditional
branching, and math capability
Program debug tools, single-step and trace modes, breakpoints, and simulation of I/O
Internal universal power supply
Direct interface to RP240 remote operator panel (optional)
Operates stand-alone or interfaces to PCs & PLCs
3-wire, RS-232C interface to PC or dumb terminal
28
I/O capabilities (all I/O are optically isolated):
o 10V analog control output (both axes)
o Shutdown output when there is no feedback or signals are contradictory (both axes)
o Drive fault input (both axes)
o LDT input (both axes)
o Incremental encoder input (axis 1 only)
o CW & CCW end-of-travel limit inputs (both axes)
o Home limit input (both axes)
o 38-bit analog inputs for joystick control and variable input (0.0V2.5V)
o 2 (trigger) inputsused for hardware position latch
o 24 programmable inputs (Opto-22
TM
compatible)
o 24 programmable outputs (Opto-22
TM
compatible)
o 2 auxiliary programmable outputs that can be configured for accurate output on
position
6270-AM Option offers two 10V, 14-bit analog inputs; can be used for position feedback
(currently installed in the box)
The control box has several ports. Some are always used, while others are for advanced
applications.. The ports DRIVE1 and DRIVE2 are used for axes commands and feedback. The
AUX port is used for connecting the terminal or computer to the box. These three ports are the
main ones needed in a test. The LDT1 and LDT2 ports can provide zero to 15, or 15 to +15 DC
V, respectively, as a reliable constant DC base voltage for the LDTs (or load cells).
Computer
The computer serves mainly as a terminal but when loaded with the Motion Architect Software,
may also be used to implement functions such as storing programs and manipulating output data.
The computer should have the proper port for connection with the box. Although a standard 25-
node-port can be used, a 9-node-port is preferable.
4 Experimental Program
Throughout the experimental program, six one-quarter-scale model columns were constructed
and tested under the following loading conditions:
1. Constant axial load, with a displacement-controlled cyclic quasi-static lateral force
2. An axial load proportional to the displacement-controlled cyclic quasi-static lateral force
simulating the actual loading of the columns, considering the overturning moment
3. A monotonic displacement-controlled lateral force with a constant axial load
4. A monotonic displacement-controlled lateral force without any axial load
5. A monotonic displacement-controlled lateral force, with a nonproportionally variable axial
load
6. Same as case 5, with a difference in the pattern of the axial load.
The objective of the research was to study the overall performance of the RC columns
with circular sections transversally reinforced by spiral under different loading conditions. The
experimental data were also used to verify the analytical models and methods.
30
Spiral @ 31.75 mm
c.c, continuous from
footing to top box
1575 mm
2540 mm
51 mm Diameter Pipe
457 mm
457 mm
152.4 mm
457 mm
457 mm
152.4 mm
51mm
Diameter
Pipe
1
4
#
2
6
A
1
4
#
2
0
Lateral Load
254 mm B
102 mm
406.5 mmdiameter
3 #20
A
508 mm Cube
Top Stub
102 mm
B
305 mm
508 mm
508 mm
4 #20
4 #20
406.4 mm Diameter
Gauges at 5 levels,
starting from top of
footing, with 203 mm
distance between
two levels, on both
rebars and spiral
4 #20
5 #13 Hoops
13 mm Cover
12 #13 rebar,
equally
spaced
SECTION A-A
SECTION B-B ELEVATION
864 mm Wide
Figure 4.1 Details of the specimens
4.1 MODEL COLUMN
Five of the model columns had a circular section with a diameter of 406.4 mm (16 in.), and a
total height of 2082.8 mm (82 in.) above the top of the footing. The effective length of the
column was 1828.8 mm (72 in.) from the top of the footing to the application point of the lateral
force. The footing was 863.6 mm (34 in.) wide, 1219.2 mm (48 in.) long with a thickness of
457.2 mm (18 in.). The longitudinal reinforcement consisted of 12 #13 (#4 English) Grade 60
bars equally distributed around the section. The confinement was a W2.5 Grade 60 spiral, spaced
at 31.75 mm (1.25 in). The clear cover to the spiral was 12.7 mm (0.5 in.). For the sixth
specimen, the diameter of the column was 432 mm (17 in.) with all other specifications the same
as for the other five specimens. Details are shown in Figure 4.1 and tabulated in Table 4.1.
31
Table 4.1 Reinforcement details of specimens
Reinforcement Steel Ratio(%)
Specimen Name Grade
Longitudinal TransverseLongitudinal Transverse
Concrete
Type
Lateral
Force
Axial Load
PEER-Column #1 G60 12#4
W2.5
@1.25"
Spiral
1.17 0.52 1 Cyclic 30% '
g c
A f
PEER-Column #2 G60 12#4
W2.5
@1.25"
Spiral
1.17 0.52 1 Cyclic
0
tan(47.32 )
LateralForce
PEER-Column #3 G60 12#4
W2.9
@1.25"
Spiral
1.17 0.52 2 Monotonic 30% '
g c
A f
PEER-Column #4 G60 12#4
W2.9
@1.25"
Spiral
1.17 0.52 2 Monotonic None
PEER-Column #5 G60 12#4
W2.5
@1.25"
Spiral
1.17 0.52 2 Monotonic
Non-
Proportionally
Variable
PEER-Column #6 G60 12#4
W2.5
@1.25"
Spiral
1.17 0.52 2 Monotonic
Non-
Proportionally
Variable
Note: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, bar #4 = #13 in SI.
Table 4.2 Experimental material properties
Actual Yield
Strength (ksi)
Actual Ultimate Strength
(ksi)
Modulus of
Elasticity (10
3
ksi)
Specimen Grade
Nominal
Yield
Strength
(ksi)
Nominal Modulus
of Elasticity (ksi)
Average
Average
Average
Rebar, #4 G60 60 29000 71 84 20
Spiral, W2.5 G60 60 29000 68 107 23.8
Spiral, W2.5 G60 60 29000 68 107 23.8
Concrete-Type1 NS N/A N/A N/A 7.3 N/A
Concrete-Type2 NS N/A N/A N/A 7.15 N/A
Note: 1 ksi = 6.9 MPa
4.2 MATERIAL PROPERTIES
The material properties are summarized in Table 4.2. The steel grade was G60 with a nominal
yield stress of 414 MPa (60 ksi). The steel was tested at the USC Structural Lab. The actual yield
strength, ultimate strength, and the modulus of elasticity of the rebar and the spiral are
summarized in Table 4.2. The normal-strength concrete was obtained from a local ready-mix
plant. The concrete strength was tested to be 49.34 MPa (7.15 ksi), using 6 cylindrical specimens
for the first two specimens (tested on the first phase of testing) and 50.37 MPa (7.3 ksi) for the
other four specimens (tested in the second phase).
32
4.3 CONSTRUCTION
The specimens were constructed in the Structural Lab at USC. The strain gages were applied at
the predetermined locations of selected rebars and then the steel cages were made, including the
longitudinal and transverse reinforcement. The columns were fixed at the center of the footing
cage, as the footing cages were constructed. Casting using ready-mix concrete was done in two
steps: first the footings and then the column with the top stub. Before casting the column and top
stub concrete, the strain gages were applied at the proper locations on the spiral.
Figure 4.2 Construction of specimens
The top stub was constructed as a 508 by 508 mm (20 in. by 20 in.) cube centered at a
height of 1829 mm (72 in.) with respect to the footing top surface. Four threaded bars were
placed in the top stub to be used for connections required when a variable axial load was applied.
Figure 4.2 shows the columns during construction, before casting concrete, and after the footing
was completed, before casting concrete for the main column and the top stub.
4.4 INSTRUMENTATION
The applied forces were measured using calibrated load cells. The horizontal displacement was
detected using a linear potentiometer with a travel stroke of 457 mm (18 in.). Two other linear
potentiometers were used to measure the axial deformation of the columns during the test. In
order to have a good understanding of the behavior of the column and the section, it is important
to have enough experimental data to study the flexural deformation, curvature at different levels,
and strain distribution over the cross section at different levels. To achieve this goal, 5 levels
equally spaced at 8 inches apart, starting on the top of the footing were determined as shown in
33
Figure 4.3, and 3 strain gages were applied on the spiral at three locations at each level. At each
level, 3 longitudinal bars were also gaged. The total number of the gages adds up to 30. Besides
the strain gages, 10 linear sensors were installed on two opposite sides of the column, shown in
Figure 4.3. The curvature of the sections at different levels can be calculated both by using the
data from the linear sensors at two opposite sides, and by the strain gages applied at the same
positions on the rebars. The first is an average of a certain length of the column, while the second
is the curvature at a specific level provided the strain gage data are within a reliable range.
Level 5
Level 4
Level 3
Level 2
Level 1
Gages on the Rebars
Top of the
Footing
457 mm
381 mm
Gages on the Spiral
381 mm
R
M
L
Lp10
Lp9
Lp8
Lp7
Lp6
1
8
2
9
m
m
2
5
4
0
m
m
Lp2
Lp1
Lp4
Lp3
Lateral
Load
254 mm
Lp5
Axial
Load
Push Pull
2
1
3
Location of linear potentiometers
5 Levels at 203 mm
Figure 4.3 Location of strain gages, and linear potentiometers on the specimens
4.5 TEST SETUP
Two different testing configurations were designed for the six specimens. For the first test, a
constant axial load equal to 30% of the
g c
A f was applied during the test. The test setup is shown
in Figure 4.4. The axial load was applied by a vertical actuator, which was force controlled, so
that a constant axial force was applied. The horizontal or lateral quasi-static cyclic load was
applied by the horizontal actuator as shown in the figure. For the second column, the axial load
was variable and proportional to the cyclic lateral load. The test setup for the second column is
shown in Figure 4.5 in which an inclined actuator force was applied to produce an axial force
proportional to the horizontal lateral force, simulating the actual case of lateral load with the
overturning moment. The loading condition for the columns is schematically shown in Figure 4.6
(left and right).
34
Figure 4.4 Test setup for tests 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6
Figure 4.5 Test setup and configuration for test 2
4.6 LOADING PROGRAM
As shown in Figure 4.7 (a), the standard lateral loading procedure used for the first two tests was
based on the lateral drift ratio, /H, defined as the ratio of the lateral displacement divided by
column height. Displacement reversals in the push and pull directions were symmetric. One
35
loading cycle applied corresponded to an increment of 0.25% drift ratio until /H=1% was
reached. Three cycles were attempted thereafter for each of the peak drift ratios, /H=1%, 1.5%,
2%, 3%, 4%, 6%, etc. The vertical loads were different in the first two cases. For the first
specimen, a constant axial load, equal to 30% of A
g
f'
c
was applied. For the second specimen the
axial load was proportional to the lateral force.
The third specimen was tested under a constant axial load of 30% of A
g
f'
c
and a
monotonically increasing lateral displacement controlled load up to the failure of the specimen.
The loading condition for the fourth specimen was like that of the third except for the axial load,
which was zero. The fifth test was carried out under a monotonically increasing lateral
displacement controlled force, while the axial load was nonproportionally variable, fluctuating
between +30% and 10% of A
g
f
c
. The loading condition for the sixth test was like that of the
fifth test except for the pattern of the axial load. Figure 4.7 shows the general loading conditions
for tests one through six.
36
H
Fixed Support
Specimen
Moment
M = V.h + P.
V
Shear
Loading Direction
(Horizontal - Cyclic or
push-over)
Vertical Load
(Constant or Variable)
P
V
M
P
H
Fixed Support
Specimen
Moment
M = V.h + P.
V
Shear
Loading Direction
(Horizontal - Cyclic or
push-over)
V
M
P
P F
Figure 4.6 Loading condition for specimens 1,3,4 (without axial load P), 5, 6 (top), and
specimen 2 (bottom)
37
Loading Pattern for Tests 1 and 2
-10
-8
-6
-4
-2
0
2
4
6
8
10
0 5 10 15 20 25 Cycles
D
r
i
f
t
R
a
t
i
o
(
%
)
(a)
Axial Loading Pattern for Test 5
-800
-400
0
400
800
1200
1600
2000
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Drift Ratio (%)
A
x
i
a
l
L
o
a
d
(
K
N
)
(b)
Axial Loading Pattern for Test 6
-700
-300
100
500
900
1300
1700
2100
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Drift Ratio (%)
A
x
i
a
l
L
o
a
d
(
K
N
)
(c)
Figure 4.7 Loading condition for tests 1 and 2(a), 5(b), and 6(c)
38
4.7 PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS
Before the two tests, the yield strength corresponding to the first yield of the critical section and
the maximum flexural strength and corresponding deflections were estimated for the specimens
using the computer program USC_RC that was developed to analyze the behavior of RC
members with different sections subjected to various quasi-static loading conditions. USC_RC is
a user-friendly Windows-based application capable of working in either the SI (Systme
International) or English Units system. The program can handle RC columns with different cross
sections and axial loads. The analysis can be done both for monotonic and cyclic (employing the
hysteretic behavior of the material) cases, and the hysteretic response of the member can be
predicted. The analysis is based on the fiber model, in which the section is divided into
infinitesimal elements, which in turn replaces the member with longitudinal fibers.
For the first specimen, due to the high axial load the crushing of the concrete proceeded
the yielding of the longitudinal bars, and was predicted to be at a force of 129 kN (28.75 kips)
and a displacement of 15.11 mm (0.595 in.), corresponding to a drift ratio of 0.82%. All the
predicted values are summarized in Table 4.3 for the first test. These predictions were compared
to the experimental results to investigate the analytical tools used in the prediction, especially in
cases of cyclic loading and to consider the hysteretic response of the material.
Table 4.3 Analytical predictions (by USC_RC) for the first test
Analytical Predictions Displacement
mm (In)
Drift ratio
(%)
Horizontal Force kN
(Kips)
Axial Load kN
(Kips)
First Yield 15.11 (0.595) 0.82 129 (28.75) 1917 (431)
Maximum Strength 24.13 (0.95) 1.32 171.2 (38.5) 1917n(431)
Failure 53.44 (2.1) 3 169 (38) 1917n(431)
An estimate of the maximum horizontal force and corresponding displacements in the
two different directions for the second specimen, where the axial load varies proportionally with
the horizontal force, can be made manually as follows. First, the moment-axial force interaction
curve for the section is calculated when the strain in the outermost concrete fiber is equal to the
strain of confined concrete at maximum strength. Based on the test setup, the relationship
between the moment and axial force, ignoring the geometrical nonlinearity and also small angle
variations imposed by the deflection, is derived as follows:
39
cos( )
h
F F = (4.1)
sin( ) N F = (4.2)
where F is the inclined applied force, F
h
is the horizontal force and N is the proportional axial
load.
'
h
M L F = (4.3)
where M is the moment at critical section. Therefore :
1
tan( )
'
N M
L
= (4.4)
If a constant initial axial load is present, then:
0
1
tan( )
'
N M P
L
= + (4.5)
where P
0
is the initial axial force. In our case, the initial axial load was zero. By using the proper
values, the interaction curve and moment axial force relationship curves could be plotted and the
intersection points predicted as the maximum lateral force and corresponding axial force in the
two opposite directions. For the case of the test, the predictions were made by USC_RC, which
can handle cases with proportionally variable axial loads. The predictions for this test are
summarized in Table 4.4.
Table 4.4 Analytical predictions for the test with proportionally variable axial load
Push Direction (Negative Axia Load) Pull Direction (Positive Axial Load) Analytical
Predictions Displacement mm(In) Drift Ratio(%) Horizontal Force
kN (Kips)
Axial Load
kN (Kips)
Displacement Drift
Ratio(%)
Horizontal Force Axial Load
First Yield 10.36 (0.408) 0.57 37 (8.33) -40 (-9) -10.72 (-0.422) -.58 -43.4 (-9.75) 46.7(10.53)
Maximum 120.4 (4.78) 6.63 73.7 (16.56) -79.6 (-17.9) -111.5 (-4.39) -6.1 -89.34 (-19.63) 94.33(21.2)
Failure 147.1 (5.79) 8 71.7 (16.1) -77.34(-17.4) -138.43 (-5.45) -7.6 -86.5 (-19.4) 93.4 (21)
During the test, the angle changes as the horizontal deflection is imposed, but the effect is
relatively small and is ignored. Analytical predictions for the third test are similar to those
predicted for the first test, as shown in the Table 4.3. The results of the analytical predictions for
test 4 with zero axial load are summarized in Table 4.5.
40
For tests 5 and 6, the analytical predictions were made by analyzing the response under a
monotonically increasing lateral displacement subjected to a predetermined axial load pattern.
The results of the analysis will be discussed when the experimental results are compared with
analytical predictions.
Table 4.5 Analytical predictions by USC_RC for the fourth test
The computer program developed and used to address the analytical needs and the
material models and analytical methods developed and used during the analytical phase of this
research are discussed in detail in the analytical part of this report.
Analytical Predictions Displacement
mm (In)
Drift ratio (%) Horizontal Force
kN (Kips)
Axial Load
kN (Kips)
First Yield 10.5 (0.415) 0.58 40 (8.9) 0.
Maximum Strength 117.3 (4.62) 6.4 80 (18) 0.
Failure 149. (5.86) 8.1 78 (17.5) 0.
5 Experimental Results
5.1 OBSERVATIONS
5.1.1 Specimen One
The displacement in the first step of loading cycles was approximately 25% more than the
predicted displacement at the first yield. Concrete crushing proceeded the yielding of the
longitudinal reinforcement due to the high level of axial load. So at the first step, with a drift
ratio of 0.5%, slightly visible cracks formed near the footing. At a drift ratio of 1% (1.8 mm
deflection) the cracks widened more and spread to a height of 81 mm above the footing surface.
As the displacement reached a drift ratio of 2% (3.66 mm), slight crushing was observed due to
spalling of the cover concrete within a height of 200 mm above the footing. At a drift ratio of
3%, the spalling spread up to a height of 400 mm, but no flexural failure due to compressive
failure of the confined concrete was observed. At this stage, the cover concrete of the footing
near the column was partially removed. The rupture of the spiral at 2 consecutive levels near the
footing, followed by buckling of the furthermost rebar, occurred at the first cycle of a drift ratio
equal to 4% (73 mm), causing crushing of the concrete near the footing and a severe degradation
in strength. The total length of the crushed concrete was about 400 mm near the footing surface,
implying formation of a plastic hinge near the footing. The test was continued for the 2
consecutive cycles, when the column failed in flexural mode. During all the tests, no damage was
observed for the column portion above a length of 810 mm. From the ductility standpoint,
assuming the first yield of the longitudinal steel as the yield point, corresponding to a drift ratio
of 0.72%, the column achieved a ductility of slightly more than 6 before the flexural failure.
Figure 5.1 shows different stages during the first test, and Figure 5.2 shows the failure pattern of
the specimen. As was observed during the test, the concrete has crushed over the same height at
the two opposite sides of the column, as expected, due to a constant axial load.
42
Figure 5.1 Specimen one at drift ratios of 1%, 2%, and 4%. Expansion of the confined
concrete near the footing is visible at a drift ratio of 4%(d).
Figure 5.2 Failure pattern of specimen one. Expansion of the confined concrete, rupture
of spiral, and buckling of the main bars. Specimen failed in the flexural mode
under a relatively high axial load.
5.1.2 Specimen Two
The axial force in the push and pull directions for test 2 was small enough for the steel to yield
first. This occurred at a horizontal displacement of about 9 mm (0.5 % drift ratio) in the push
direction and at a horizontal displacement of 9.7 mm (0.53 % drift ratio) in the pull direction. In
the first step of the displacement control load, the applied displacement was approximately
around the first yield displacement (0.5% drift ratio) in the push and pull directions. After the
third cycle of the first step the cracks were visible all the way up to the top of the column, which
distinguishes this test from the first one because of the tensile axial load in the push direction. At
the first cycle of a drift ratio of 3%, minor concrete crushing occurred at the interface of the
43
column and footing, on the pull side, where the axial load is compressive; in the following cycles
of this step, no further crushing of the concrete was observed. At a drift ratio of 4% the concrete
crushed within a height of about 100 mm on the pull side while the height of the crushed
concrete was around 70 mm on the push side. At the first cycle of 6% drift ratio, the concrete
crushed more over a length of approximately 178 mm near the column bottom in the pull
direction, and about 130 mm in the push direction. Apparently, the differences in direction and
magnitude of the axial load caused significantly different damage patterns in the column. At the
second cycle of 6% drift ratio, the furthermost rebar on the push side buckled and when the load
was reversed, straightened leaving a gap between the rebar and the spiral. The same behavior
was observed on the other side when the reversal load was applied. At the third cycle of 6% drift
ratio, two adjacent spirals ruptured followed by the buckling of the nearby rebars. At this stage,
even if the crushing of the concrete was considerable in a relatively small region near the
footing, compared with the first column, no spalling was observed. The test was continued for
the next step at a drift ratio of 8%, at which the two buckled rebars ruptured, followed by a
severe degradation in the horizontal load capacity. The specimen failed in the flexural mode.
Figure 5.3 shows different stages of the test, and Figure 5.4 the failure pattern of the column. As
observed during the test, the difference in the length of the crushed concrete at opposite sides of
the column was slightly visible. The figure shows the first crushing on the pull side, whereas no
crushing was observed on the push side.
Figure 5.3 Specimen two at drift ratio of (a) 1% (b) 4%, (c) 6%, and (d) 8%
44
Figure 5.4 Failure pattern of specimen two. Buckling of the main bar and straightening in
reversal at a drift ratio of (a and b) 6%, (c) different crush pattern on the two
opposite sides of the column and, (d) rupture of the main bars at a drift ratio
of 8%.
5.1.3 Specimen Three
This specimen was subjected to a monotonic lateral displacement and a constant axial load of
30% A
g
f
c
. At a displacement of 14.7 mm (0.58 in.) corresponding to a drift ratio of 0.8%, the
first flexural cracks were formed. As stated, the high level of the axial load was the reason for the
concrete to start crushing before yielding of the longitudinal bars. The onset of crushing was at a
drift ratio of 2% and spread upward from the column-footing interface as the drift ratio was
increased to 3% and consequently 4%. Right after the occurrence of the 4% drift ratio, the first
rupture of the spiral close to the column-footing interface occurred, which caused a loss in the
horizontal force. At drift ratios of 5% to 6% more transverse reinforcement rupture occurred and
at a drift ratio close to 6%, the longitudinal rebars buckled at two locations near the footing.
Then a reversal displacement was applied up to the point where the lateral load vanished. The
test was concluded at this point.
5.1.4 Specimen Four
This test was done without any axial load, and with a monotonically increasing lateral
displacement. The displacement was increased up to a drift ratio of 10%, where the limit of the
horizontal actuator was reached and a reversal displacement was applied up to 10% drift ratio,
and then back to zero, forming one full cycle. At a drift ratio of 0.5% the first flexural cracks
were formed. This value was close to the predicted yield displacement. The onset of crushing of
the concrete near the column-footing area was observed between the drift ratios of 2% and 3%.
45
As the displacement was increased to 7% drift ratio, more crushing of the concrete occurred at
the front face of the column where the concrete was under compression. No failure was detected
up to the drift ratio of 10%, which was the limit imposed by the testing equipment. The test was
continued by applying a reversal displacement up to 10% drift ratio, during which the same
behavior was observed as in the push direction. Then the displacement was pushed back to zero
at the end of the test.
Figure 5.5 Different instances from test 3: onset of spalling, buckling of the rebars,
rupture of spiral, and complete failure
5.1.5 Specimen Five
In this test the specimen was subjected to a monotonically increasing lateral displacement and a
nonproportionally variable axial load, changing from between +30% and 10% of A
g
f
c
.
The rate
of change of the axial load with respect to the lateral displacement was so that at least one whole
cycle of axial loading was completed within the first yield of the section. The first yield was
analytically chosen to be the least value of the yield displacements at the column with the axial
load changing between +30% and 10% of A
g
f
c
. Fulfilling this condition and following the exact
path of the predetermined loading pattern was achieved by using the newly developed multi-axis
loading control system. The actual pattern of the axial load is shown in Figure 3.7(b), which is
plotted based on the experimental data. The axial load of +20% A
g
f
c
at the beginning of the test
was reduced to 10% A
g
f
c
at the same displacement and then increased to +20% A
g
f
c
, while the
displacement was increased to 0.1% drift ratio. When the axial load was decreased to 10%
46
A
g
f
c
, slightly visible cracks were observed. The first crushing was observed at 2% drift ratio and
increased as the drift ratio increased at the peak levels of the axial load. Despite the tests under a
constant or proportionally variable axial load, the analytical strength of the column under a
corresponding axial load in a case of constant axial load with the same level was not reached.
This issue encouraged the researchers to plan a different pattern of axial load so that the effect of
the axial loading pattern could be investigated more. At drift ratios close to but more than 3%, a
sudden increase in crushing of the concrete within the vicinity of the column-footing interface
was observed, and some inclined cracks were formed. The rupture of the spiral steel occurred at
a drift ratio close to 6%, and the second was observed at a drift ratio of slightly more than 8%.
The test was continued up to a drift ratio of 8.5%.
5.1.6 Specimen Six
The lateral displacement and level of axial load for this test were similar to those of the previous
test except for the pattern of the axial load. This difference caused a significant change in the
response of the specimen. At drift ratios of 0.5% cracking was visible on the push side of the
column. Crushing of the concrete near the column-footing interface started at a drift ratio close to
1.5%. At a drift ratio of 2% slight inclined cracks were formed. There were more cracks and
crushing of the concrete as the lateral displacement was increased under the variable axial load.
Rupture of the spiral occurred at a drift ratio of 6.5%. The test was continued up to a drift ratio of
close to 8% and then the displacement was decreased to zero under zero axial load. The test was
continued with the same pattern in the pull direction for close to 4 cycles of axial load change,
then the displacement was brought back to zero at the end of testing. Figure 5.6 shows different
instances of tests 5 and 6.
47
Figure 5.6 Different instances from tests 5 and 6: Initial cracking at tensile axial load all
over the column; spalling, crushing, and rupture of spiral
5.2 HORIZONTAL-FORCE DRIFT-DEFORMATION RESPONSE
The curves showing the hysteretic behavior of the columns are plotted based on the drift defined
as:
(%) 100 d
L
= (5.1)
where is the total horizontal deflection and L is the effective height of the column, from the top
of the footing to the force application point. The ductility factor is defined as:
y
= (5.2)
where is the total horizontal deflection and
y
is the horizontal deflection at the first yield of the
tensile steel or crushing of concrete at the critical section of the column. The first experimental
yield point was determined when the tensile strain at the furthermost rebar of the section at the
interface of the footing and column reaches the yield strain of steel. For the horizontal-force drift
ratio hysteretic curves, the horizontal axis is the drift, and the vertical axis is the horizontal force
in kN. The dotted line is the analytical prediction considering confinement and the effect of the
axial load.
48
5.2.1 Specimen One
Figure 5.7 shows the horizontal-force drift-ratio hysteretic relationship resulting from test one.
Compared with the test results on a similar specimen with zero axial load, the flexural strength
has increased as the axial force has increased, but with a decrease in ductility. That is because the
failure of the concrete precedes the failure or even yield of the rebars, due to a high level of axial
load.
Increasing the confinement both in strength and amount leads to an increase in ductility,
which is most important for seismic design. At a horizontal force of about 170 kN and a drift of
0.73%, the column reached the first yield, and at a drift ratio of 2.5% achieved its maximum
capacity, which was about 220 kN. The maximum ductility achieved was around 6, and the
maximum drift was 4%, corresponding to a deflection of 73 mm. The dotted lines show the
predicted capacity for the specimen considering the effects of confinement and axial force. The
prediction is conservative compared with the experimental results.
Experimental Horizontal Force-Drift Ratio (Specimen One) and
Prediction
-250
-200
-150
-100
-50
0
50
100
150
200
250
-5 -3 -1 1 3 5
Drift Ratio (%)
H
o
r
i
z
o
n
t
a
l
F
o
r
c
e
(
K
N
)
Figure 5.7 Horizontal force vs. drift ratio for specimen one
49
Experimental Horizontal Force-Drift Ratio (Specimen two) and
Theoretical Predictions
-120
-100
-80
-60
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
-10 -5 0 5 10
Drift Ratio(%)
H
o
r
i
z
o
n
t
a
l
F
o
r
c
e
(
k
N
)
Figure 5.8 Horizontal force vs. drift ratio for specimen two
5.2.2 Specimen Two
Figure 5.8, shows the hysteretic response for test two. Since the axial force was proportional to
the horizontal force and its value has opposite signs in two opposite directions, the behavior of
the column was different in the pull and push directions, as expected from the analytical
prediction. In the push direction, where there was a tensile axial load, the first yield occurred at a
drift ratio of 0.49% and a horizontal force of 25.3 kN, while in the pull direction with a
compressive axial load, it was at a drift ratio of 0.53% corresponding to a horizontal force of
44.3 kN. In the push direction, the capacity was 60.5 kN at a drift of 6.11%, while in the pull
direction the capacity increased to 80 kN at a drift of 6.12%. The dotted lines show the estimated
capacities in the two directions. The estimation was based on the predicted capacity and the
corresponding axial load. As shown in the figure, in the push direction where the axial force is
tensile, the capacity is well estimated, while in the opposite direction with a compressive axial
load, it has been underestimated. The column achieved a ductility of about 11 in the push
direction and 15 in the pull direction during the test. The column failed at a drift ratio of 6% (137
mm) in the push and at 8% (183 mm) in the pull direction.
50
Comparing Test 1 and Test 3 Horizontal Forces
-300
-200
-100
0
100
200
300
-6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8
Drif t Ratio (%)
H
o
r
i
z
o
n
t
a
l
F
o
r
c
e
(
k
N
)
test 1 pure Force
test 3 pure Force
Figure 5.9 Comparison of lateral forces in tests one and three
5.2.3 Specimen Three
This specimen was under a monotonically increasing lateral displacement and a constant axial
load equal to 30% A
g
f'
c
. The observed peak strength of the column in this case was less than for
specimen one, which was under the same level of axial load but a cyclic lateral displacement. In
Figure 5.9 the results of the two tests are compared. The displacement capacity for this column
was slightly more than for the first specimen, while it reached its maximum capacity in a smaller
drift ratio compared to test one. Figure 5.10 shows the experimental horizontal force versus drift
ratio and the expected analytical capacity.
51
Experimental Horizontal Force vs Drift Ratio (Test 3) and the Predicted
Capacity
-250
-200
-150
-100
-50
0
50
100
150
200
250
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Drift Ratio (%)
F
o
r
c
e
(
k
N
)
Figure 5.10 Horizontal force vs. drift ratio, specimen three
Horizontal Force-Drift Ratio
-110
-55
0
55
110
-10 -5 0 5 10
Drif t Ratio (%)
H
o
r
i
z
o
n
t
a
l
F
o
r
c
e
(
K
N
)
Figure 5.11 Horizontal force vs. drift ratio, specimen four
52
The analytical capacity is evaluated for the column under axial load, and the dotted line is
plotted considering the effect of axial load. The capacity is underestimated, as in the first test
where a similar axial load was applied.
5.2.4 Specimen Four
Specimen 4 was applied with monotonic lateral loading without any axial force. The first yield of
the longitudinal steel occurred at a drift ratio of 0.5%. Its experimental strength was beyond the
predicted analytical strength and the drift ratio reached 10%, more than the analytically predicted
drift ratio at failure, when the reversal displacement was applied due to the stroke limit of the
actuator. The specimen did not fail at this drift ratio, and the strength increased without any
degradation up to the maximum practical stroke. In the pull direction, while the drift ratio was
applied up to the end of the stroke limit of the actuator, the strength was close to that analytically
predicted but less than the strength in the push direction. This was because of the degradation
imposed while the push drift was applied. Figure 5.11 shows the horizontal force versus drift
ratio for this specimen.
Horizontal Force vs Drift Ratio (Test 5) and Capacity Predictions
-200
-150
-100
-50
0
50
100
150
200
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Drif t Ratio (%)
F
o
r
c
e
(
K
N
)
Negative Axial
Load (-10% Agf 'c)
Positive Axial Load
(30% A
g
f '
c
)
Figure 5.12 Horizontal force vs. drift ratio, specimen five
53
5.2.5 Specimen Five
Figure 5.12 shows the lateral-force drift-ratio response of specimen five. The horizontal force
fluctuation follows the axial load variation. Since the P- effect when the level of axial load
reaches its maximum or minimum peaks is significantly large, its effect on the horizontal force is
considerable. The horizontal force depends on the level of axial load from the perspective of
strength , the amount of the lateral displacement to reach its proper value for a certain level of
strength, and the level of the P- effect. These are the facts that can justify the appearance of the
horizontal force response curve. Figure 5.13 shows the curves with and without the P- effect,
and the scaled axial load for comparison purposes. The figure is self-explanatory and the effect
of axial load on increasing the strength and the P- effect is obvious.
Horizontal Force and scaled axial load (Test 5) with and without P-Delta
-150
-100
-50
0
50
100
150
200
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Drift Ratio (%)
F
o
r
c
e
(
K
N
)
Figure 5.13 Horizontal force with and without (solid) P- effect, and the scaled axial
load (dotted) vs. drift ratio, specimen five
54
Horizontal Force vs Drift Ratio (Test 6) and Capacity Predictions
-100
-50
0
50
100
150
200
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Drift Ratio (%)
F
o
r
c
e
(
K
N
)
Negative Axial Load (-10% A
g
f'
c
)
Positive Axial Load (30% A
g
f'
c
)
Figure 5.14 Horizontal force vs. drift ratio, specimen six
5.2.6 Specimen Six
The loading pattern for the axial load was different from the previous specimen considering the
cycle and duration, while all other parameters, such as the peak values, are the same. All the
aforesaid observations are also true for this case. The main difference in this case is that the
lateral load had enough space in terms of lateral displacement under a certain level of axial load
to reach its maximum value. In other words, when the axial load is reversed from its negative
value and increased to its positive value, while the lateral displacement is increasing
independently, the horizontal force increases, but for a certain level of the axial load, it cannot
reach its peak value, except for the cases when the axial load is kept constant at that level while
the lateral displacement is increased until the peak value is reached. Figure 5.14 shows the
horizontal force versus drift ratio, and Figure 5.15 compares the horizontal force, with and
without the P- effect, and the scaled axial load.
55
Horizontal Force and Scaled Axial Load (Test 6) with and without P-delta
-100
-50
0
50
100
150
200
250
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Drift Ratio (%)
F
o
r
c
e
(
K
N
)
Figure 5.15 Horizontal force with and without P- effect (solid), and the scaled axial load
(dotted) vs. drift ratio, specimen six
5.3 EFFECTS OF VARIABLE AXIAL LOAD
Figure 5.16 shows the critical moment versus drift ratio for column two. Owing to the
proportionality of the axial load with the horizontal force, in the push direction the axial force is
tensile, in the pull direction compressive. The variation of the axial load resulted in different
responses in the push and pull directions. The experimental values corresponding to the first
yield of the longitudinal rebar, and the peak flexural strength of the specimen are summarized in
Table 5.1 The first yield of the longitudinal bar occurred at a drift ratio of 0.4677%
corresponding to a horizontal force of 31.22 kN (7.02 kips) in the push direction when the axial
load was 27.28 kN (-6.13 kips), while in the pull direction, the first yield of the longitudinal bar
was at a drift ratio of 0.53% corresponding to a horizontal force of 55.43 kN (-12.46 kips)
when the axial load was 47.91 kN (10.77 kips). Experimentally, there was a difference of 24.21
kN between the yield forces in the two opposite directions. The difference between the
corresponding displacements was around 1.14 mm (0.045 in.) due to the variation of the axial
load between the values stated above. The specimen reached its maximum capacity at a drift
ratio of 6.11% corresponding to a horizontal force of 75.65 kN (17.0 kips) with an axial load of
56
70.45 kN (-15.84 kips) in the push direction. The maximum capacity of the specimen in the
pull direction was reached at a drift ratio of 6.17%, corresponding to a horizontal force of 100
kN (-22.48 kips) under an axial load of 81.52 kN (18.32 kips). The variation of the axial load
caused this difference between the capacities in the two opposite directions. The difference
between the displacements, as for the yield point, is not significant, and the experimentally
detected difference was around 1.09 mm (0.043 in.). The ductility of the specimen in the two
opposite directions was slightly different. In the push direction the ductility, defined as the
ultimate displacement divided by the yield displacement was 13, in the pull direction 11.6. The
increase in the axial load led to a decrease in ductility.
Table 5.1 Experimental forces and displacements in opposite directions, test 2
Push Direction (Negative Axial Load) Pull Direction (Positive Axial Load) Experimental
Data Test 2 Displacement
mm(In)
Drift Ratio(%) Horizontal Force
kN (Kips)
Axial Load
kN (Kips)
Displacement Drift
Ratio(%)
Horizontal
Force
Axial Load
First Yield 8.55 (0.336) 0.4677 31.22 (7.02) -27.28(-6.13) -9.69(-0.3816) -.53 -55.43
(-12.46)
47.91(10.77)
Maximum 111.74 (5.39) 6.11 75.65 (17.0) -70.45(-15.84) -112.84 (-4.44) -6.17 -100.
(-22.48)
81.52 (18.32)
57
Critical Moment-Drift Ratio
-200
-150
-100
-50
0
50
100
150
200
-10 -5 0 5 10
Drift Ratio(%)
C
r
i
t
i
c
a
l
M
o
m
e
n
t
(
K
N
-
M
)
Figure 5.16 Critical moment vs. drift ratio, specimen two
Experimental Horizontal Force-Drift Ratio (Test 1 solid, 2 dotted)
-250
-200
-150
-100
-50
0
50
100
150
200
250
-10 -5 0 5 10
Drift Ratio (%)
H
o
r
i
z
o
n
t
a
l
F
o
r
c
e
(
K
N
)
Figure 5.17 Comparison of tests one and two
58
Experimental Horizontal Force vs Drift Ratio (Test 3 solid, and 4 dotted)
-200
-150
-100
-50
0
50
100
150
200
250
-15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15
Drift Ratio (%)
F
o
r
c
e
(
K
N
)
Figure 5.18 Comparison of tests three and four
In general the test results show that the compressive axial load in the pull direction led to
an increase in the capacity, and that the tensile axial load in the push direction reduced the
capacity.
Figure 5.17 compares the horizontal force of tests one and two, and Figure 5.18 compares
the same values for specimens 3 and 4. The effect of the axial load on the flexural strength and
ductility of the column is clearly visible. The significant increase in strength costs a significant
decrease in ductility. This effect can also be seen in Figure 5.13 and Figure 5.15, where the
horizontal force has been plotted for tests 5 and 6, respectively, compared to the scaled value of
the axial load. If we correct the P- effect, the effect of the axial load is explicitly shown in the
figures. The other important issue is the effect of the pattern of axial load.
59
Critical Moment, tests 5 and 6
-200
-100
0
100
200
300
400
500
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Drift Ratio (%)
C
r
i
t
i
c
a
l
M
o
m
e
n
t
(
k
N
-
M
)
Figure 5.19 Comparison of tests five and six
Figure 5.19 compares the critical moments for tests 5 and 6. In Figure 5.20 the variation
of the axial load with respect to the drift ratio is compared for tests five and six. The level of
peak values for the axial load remained the same for both tests, the only difference being the
pattern of loading. As shown, the pattern of the axial load with respect to the lateral displacement
had a significant effect on the strength of the member. The reversal strain and strain hardening of
steel, the compressed concrete, and the utilization of confining the steel are the main issues in
this regard that should be addressed in this case. In general the effect of the axial load on the
overall response of the column is significant, especially when the amount of the force is large
and may not be ignored. The pattern of loading affects the response of the member.
60
Axial load (Test 5 and Test 6) vs Drift Ratio
-800
-300
200
700
1200
1700
2200
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Drift Ratio (%)
F
o
r
c
e
(
K
N
)
Test 5
Test 6
Figure 5.20 Comparison of variation of axial load in tests 5 and 6 with respect to drift ratio
5.4 RECORDED MOMENT-CURVATURE RESPONSE
The evaluation of the moment-curvature at different heights along the column can be carried out
through two different methods. In the first method, an average curvature of a segment of the
column is obtained using the longitudinal deformations measured by a pair of linear
potentiometers, as shown in Figure 3.3. The average curvature can be expressed as:
1 2
'
1
( )
.
ave
D l
= (5.3)
where
ave
is the average curvature over the specified length,
1
and
2
are the measured
longitudinal deformations on two sides, D and l
1
are the distance of the linear potentiometers
and the length of the segment, respectively. The corresponding moment is calculated at the
middle height of the segment, using the recorded values for the horizontal force and axial load,
and the relative horizontal deflection at the corresponding step. In the second method, the
curvature at a certain height level is evaluated. Here, the recorded strain at the two opposite
longitudinal reinforcements at that level are employed and the curvature is evaluated as follows:
61
2 1
( )
( 2 )
ave
D c
(5.4)
where
1
and
2
are the recorded strains at the two strain gages installed at the opposite sides of
the column on the rebars, D is the column diameter, and c is the cover concrete thickness. The
moment is calculated at the same level, using the recorded values for the horizontal force and
axial load, and the relative horizontal deflection at the specific step. This method is reliable only
within the elastic range of the strain, otherwise the residual strains when the reversal load is
applied will be included in the measurements. In this report, the first method is used in
evaluating the average curvature over a segment, and the second method is used solely to ensure
the consistency of the data.
Figure 5.21 shows the moment-curvature response of the first specimen at segment one.
This specimen was under a relatively high compressive axial load, and as a result, the maximum
curvature achieved in the average section in segment one was about 0.0032 (1/in.). The section
tolerated a moment of 3920 kip/in., corresponding to a lateral force of 57.5 kips.
Experimental Moment Curvature (Test 1) at first segment
-500
-400
-300
-200
-100
0
100
200
300
400
500
-0.15 -0.1 -0.05 0 0.05 0.1 0.15
Curvature (1/M)
M
o
m
e
n
t
(
k
N
-
M
)
Figure 5.21 Experimental moment curvature of specimen one
62
Experimental Moment Curvature (Test 2) at first segment
-200
-150
-100
-50
0
50
100
150
-0.4 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4
Curvature (1/M)
M
o
m
e
n
t
(
k
N
-
M
)
Figure 5.22 Experimental moment curvature of specimen two
Experimental Moment Curvature (Test 1 and 2) at first segment
-500
-400
-300
-200
-100
0
100
200
300
400
500
-0.4 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4
Curvature (1/M)
M
o
m
e
n
t
(
k
N
-
M
)
Test 1 segment 1
Test 2 segment 1
Figure 5.23 Comparison of the moment-curvature response at the first segment for tests
one and two
63
In Figure 5.22 the experimental moment-curvature curve at the first segment for test two
is plotted. In this test the axial load was proportionally variable with respect to the lateral force
with a proportionality or tan( 43 ) 0.9325
(6.6)
where
s
is the steel strain;
sh
is the steel strain at the commencement of strain hardening;
su
is
the steel strain at f
su
; f
s
is the steel stress; f
su
is the ultimate tensile strength of the steel; f
y
is the
yield strength of the steel; E
sh
is the strain-hardening modulus of steel; and:
81
( )
su sh
sh
su y
p E
f f
=
(6.7)
(d) Model Developed and Used in the Analytical Program
The model developed and used in the analytical program in the second and third phases is
different from the aforesaid models and yields results that comply well with the material test
results. This model is flexible, and by adjustment of its parameters can be used to simulate the
behavior of different types of steel, even if the main intension has been in simulating the mild
steel cases. In this model, four parameters are used.
1. K
1
is the ratio of the strain at the start of the strain hardening to the yield strain.
2. K
2
is the ratio of the strain at the ultimate stress to the yield strain.
3. K
3
is the ratio of the ultimate strain to the yield strain.
4. K
4
is the ratio of the ultimate stress to the yield stress.
The curve is assumed to be linear up to the yield point, which is the case for
approximately all kinds of steel, and to have a pure plastic deformation from the yield point up to
a strain of K
1
times the yield strain. The maximum strength is assumed to occur at a strain of K
2
times the yield strain, and is equal to K
4
times the yield stress, and steel rupture occurs at a strain
of K
3
times the yield strain. A quadratic curve joins the start of the strain-hardening point, the
maximum strength point, and the rupture point. The parameters of the model employed in the
analytical works of this study have been scaled so that the resulting curve is very close to the
experimental curve resulting from the material tests on the sample bars and spiral used in the
construction of columns. Figure 6.6 and Figure 6.7 show the experimental stress-strain curves for
the longitudinal reinforcement and confining steel, respectively, resulting from the material tests
conducted at the USC Structural Lab. Figure 6.4 shows the USC_RC monotonic stress-strain
curve for steel. The four different parameters used to adjust the model to fit the experimental
data are shown in the figure. By adjusting these parameters the experimental curves for either the
longitudinal or transverse reinforcement can be successfully simulated. The mathematical
formulation of the model is as follows:
For 0
y s
E < < = where is the strain,
y
is the yield strain of steel, is the
stress, and
s
E is the modulus of elasticity of steel.
For
1 y s y
k E < =
82
For
1 3
k k <
2 2 2
4 2 4 1 4 1 2 4 2
2 2
1 1 2 2
(1 )( 2 ( 1) 2 )
( 2 )
s s s y
y
E k k k E E k k k k k k
k k k k
+ + + +
=
+
For
3
0.
y
k > =
A flowchart for the monotonic stress-strain response of steel, as modeled in USC_RC is
shown in Figure 6.5.
USC_RC Steel Stress-Strain Curve
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1
Strain
S
t
r
e
s
s
(
M
P
a
)
K
2
K
4
K
1
K
3
Figure 6.4 USC_RC model for monotonic stress-strain curve of steel
83
Figure 6.5 Flowchart for steel monotonic stress-strain response as modeled in USC_RC
84
Experimental Stress-Strain Curve for Rebar #13 (#4 English)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02 0.025 0.03
Strain
S
t
r
e
s
s
(
M
P
a
)
Figure 6.6 Experimental stress-strain curve for longitudinal bars
Spiral (W2.5) Experimental Stress-Strain Curve
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
0 0.002 0.004 0.006 0.008 0.01 0.012 0.014 0.016
Strain
S
t
r
e
s
s
(
M
P
a
)
Figure 6.7 Experimental stress-strain curve for confining steel (spiral)
85
6.2.1.2 Concrete
Concrete is composed of two parts, confined concrete and cover concrete. Various models have
been proposed to model the stress-strain relationship of confined and in turn unconfined
concrete. The model employed in theoretical predictions plays a basic role in the compatibility of
the data with the test results. Each model seems to have efficiency for a specific situation, while
not for others. The following reviews the existing models, including the model employed in the
first stage of the analytical works related to the tests.
(a) Richart Model
The pioneer work on the effect of transverse reinforcement on concrete compression behavior
was conducted by Richart et al. (Richart, 1928). Based on the test results of 100 mm200 mm (4
in.8 in.) concrete cylinders subjected to different types of transverse pressure, he discovered
that the strength and corresponding strain of concrete were increasingly proportional to the
increase in transverse pressure, a phenomenon then that seems obvious nowadays. Based on
those early studies, the compression strength of the concrete was expressed as:
' '
cc co r
f f kf = + (6.8)
where f
cc
is the compression strength of the concrete with transverse pressure; f
co
is the strength
without pressure; f
r
is the transverse pressure; and k is the experimental coefficient, which was
proposed as being 4.1 by Richart et al. The peak strain,
cc
, at the compression strength of
confined concrete was expressed as:
'
'
1 5 1
cc
cc co
co
f
f
( | |
= +
( |
\ .
(6.9)
where
co
is the peak strain at the strength of plain concrete cylinders. This equation, essentially
represents the simplest form of the Mohr-Coulomb two-parameter criterion, which defines the
shear stress as the function of the normal stress (Chen, 1982).
86
(b) Fafitis and Shah Model
Fafitis and Shah et al. (Fafitis and Shah, 1985) proposed a confinement model based on the
results of their tests. The model was initially developed for circular columns confined with spiral
reinforcement. They suggested that columns with square sections can be treated as circular
columns with the core diameter equal to the side of the square core. The confinement index to
estimate the effective confining pressure was defined as:
yh
sh
r
c
s
f
A
f
d
=
(6.10)
where A
sh
is the total section area of the transverse reinforcement in the vertical cross section
within spacing s; d
c
is the equivalent diameter for a square column section assuming it equals the
side of the confined square concrete core; f
yh
is the yield strength of the confinement steel. The
complete stress-strain curve consists of two parts, ascending and descending branches. Both
branches meet at the peak point with a zero slope, which avoids any discontinuity. The
ascending branch in fact is a parabolic function with its extreme point coinciding with the peak
of the stress-strain curve. The main parameters used in the ascending parts are the modulus of
elasticity for unconfined concrete E
c
, confined concrete strength f
cc
, and strain at confined
strength
cc
. The peak coordinates f
cc
and
cc
are calculated based on the unconfined concrete
cylinder strength f
c
and the confinement index f
r
. The descending branch is an exponential curve
asymptotically approaching zero, while the strain tends to infinity. The parameters used for
calculating the descending branch are the same as for the ascending one, plus the modulus of
elasticity of the unconfined concrete. The complete mathematical expressions describing Fafitis
and Shahs model are:
'
1
1
A
c cc
c
cc
f f
(
(
=
(
(
| |
|
\ .
; for
0
c cc
<
(6.11)
( )
1.15
'
exp
c cc
k
c cc
f f
(
=
(
; for
c cc
>
(6.12)
where
87
f
E
A
'
cc
c
cc
= (6.13)
|
|
.
|
\
|
=
1
f
f k
r '
c
01 . 0 exp 24.65 (6.14)
psi f
E
c
c
'
33
1.5
= (6.15)
( ) f
f
f
c
c
r
|
|
.
|
\
|
|
|
.
|
\
|
=
1
9
'
24 . 3 exp 1 25 1
(6.16)
The factor
1
depends on the concrete strength and degree of the confinement. This
model can easily be used for unconfined concrete by taking f
r
= 0. The value of the parameter k
equal to zero corresponds to perfectly brittle behavior, while an infinitely large k corresponds to
perfectly plastic behavior of confined concrete.
(c) Sheikh and Uzumeri Model
The model of Sheikh and Uzumeri et al. (1982) is one of the earliest developed for the prediction
of the stress-strain relationship of confined concrete in tied columns. The model was developed
based on the experimental results from 24 tests conducted by them, as well from a number of
tests conducted before 1982 by other researchers. The complete stress-strain curve consists of
three main sections. The first section represents a parabolic curve with its center coordinates (f
cc
,
s1
), the second part is a horizontal line up to the strain
s2
, and the third section represents an
inclined line with a slope Z. It continues up to the point where the stress becomes 0.3f
cc
, after
which it again continues horizontally. The f
cc
is the strength of the confined concrete, and
s1
and
s2
are the minimum and maximum strains, respectively, corresponding to the maximum stress of
the confined concrete. They are expressed as follows:
88
'
co s
cc
f
f
K
=
(6.17)
6
1
'
0.55
10 s s
co
f K
=
(6.18)
f
co
is cylinder strength in psi.
' 2
0.81
1 1 5.0
2
'
s
C
s
s co
co
s f
B
f
= +
(
| |
(
|
(
|
(
\ .
| |
|
\ .
(6.19)
Here all stresses are in psi and C is in inches.
oo
is the strain corresponding to the maximum
stress in a plain concrete specimen. The parameter K
s,
which is called the strength gain factor,
was determined from regression analysis based on tests of confined concrete columns:
( )
'
2
2
2
2
1
5.5
2.73
1.0
1
2
s s
n
s
occ
s
C B
f
K
P B B
= +
(
| |
(
|
(
\ .
(6.20)
where f
s
is in ksi and P
occ
is in kips. The slope Z for the third section of the stress-strain curve is
expressed as:
0.5
3
4
s
Z
B
s
=
(6.21)
The many parameters used in these equations depend mainly on the geometry of the
specimen, amount of reinforcement, etc. Thus, s is the spacing of the transverse reinforcement;
s
is the volumetric ratio of transverse reinforcement; C is the center-to-center distance between
longitudinal bars; and n is the number of curvatures between the longitudinal bars. This takes
into account that some of the concrete at the surface of the core remains unconfined. For square
columns n coincides with the number of the longitudinal bars. f
s
is the stress in the lateral
reinforcement, which is recommended to take as the yield stress of the lateral reinforcement.
P
occ
is described by the following equation:
( )
'
occ co s
co
f
P A A
=
(6.22)
where
89
co
B H
A
=
(6.23)
A
s
is the total sectional area of the longitudinal steel bars; A
co
is the area of the confined concrete
core; B and H are the center-to-center distance of the perimeter hoop of the rectangular concrete
core. According to Sheikh and Uzumeri et al. the maximum error in the predicted K
s
value on
the unsafe side is less than 4%, and the maximum conservative error is about 7%. They also
proposed a parameter
s85
for confined concrete strain corresponding to 85% of maximum
concrete stress on the unloading branch of the stress-strain curve:
85 2
0.225
s s
s
B
s
= +
(6.24)
It is assumed as the ultimate strain of confined concrete.
(d) Mander, Priestley, and Park Model
Mander, Priestley, and Park (1988) and others have developed a general model for concrete
confined by various types of transverse reinforcements (Mander, Priestley, and Park, 1988). The
Mander model has been widely used in analyzing columns with both circular and rectangular
cross sections (Xiao, Priestley and Seible, 1994; 1996). The load application can be either static
or dynamic, applied monotonically or by load cycles. The transverse reinforcement can also be
of different types: circular or spiral, rectangular hoops with or without cross ties. In this report
only the stress-strain relationship for rectangular columns confined with rectangular hoops under
monotonically applied load is considered. To develop the model, Mander conducted tests on
full-scale confined RC columns, with a concrete strength of 30 MPa and steel yield strength of
about 300 MPa. The main equation describing the monotonic stress-strain relationship for
confined concrete is:
'
1
cc
r
c
r
xr
f
f
x
=
+
(6.25)
where x is the ratio of strain (
c
) to the strain at peak stress (
cc
), f
cc
is the peak stress for
confined concrete; r is the ratio of the concretes initial modulus to the difference of the initial
and secant moduli of elasticity. These parameters and their components are mathematically
expressed by:
90
c
cc
x
=
(6.26)
'
'
1 1
cc
cc co
co
R
f
f
( | |
( |
= +
( |
|
( \ .
(6.27)
sec
c
c
r
E
E E
=
(6.28)
'
5000
c
co
f
E
=
MPa (6.29)
'
sec
cc
cc
f
E
=
(6.30
In the above equations f
co
and
co
are, respectively, the concrete cylinder strength and
corresponding strain. The parameter R is an empirical value determined experimentally.
According to Mander et al., it varies from 3 for high-strength concrete to 6 for normal-strength
concrete. The main parameter figuring in the equations is the peak longitudinal compressive
stress for confined concrete. It is expressed as:
' '
' '
' '
7.94 2
2.254 1 1.254
l l
cc co
co co
f f
f f
f f
| |
|
= +
|
|
\ .
(6.31)
where f
l
is the effective lateral confining stress, defined as:
'
1
2
e
l s yh
f f
K
=
(6.32)
The most important parameter in Manders model is the confinement effectiveness
coefficient K
e
. It takes into account the efficiency of different types of transverse reinforcement.
Mander et al. proposed different equations for K
e
for different types of transverse reinforcement,
particularly for circular sections and the spiral-shaped transverse reinforcement:
91
'
1
2
1
s
e
cc
s
d
k
(6.33)
First hoop fracture
Confined concrete
Assumed for
cover concrete
Unconfined concrete
C
o
m
p
r
e
s
s
i
v
e
S
t
r
e
s
s
Compressive Strain
f cc'
Ec
cc
f co'
Esec
2co co cu
Figure 6.8 Mander et al. (1988) model for monotonic response of confined and unconfined
concrete
Here
cc
is the ratio of the area of the longitudinal reinforcement to the area of the core section,
and
s
is the ratio of the volume of the transverse confining steel to the volume of the confined
concrete core. The expression f
yh
is the yield strength of the transverse reinforcement. The model
is valid only within a certain range of confinement steel; otherwise the results are not realistic
and valid. Also there is a deficiency in the model regarding the descending part of the confined
concrete stress-strain curve. The experimental results (Martirossian, 1996) show that some
modifications as proposed by Martirossian and others are required to make it more realistic.
Also, as already mentioned, the model may be applied only for a confinement range for which f'
l
is between zero and about 2.3; otherwise the method will not yield realistic behavior.
92
(e) Li and Park Model
Li and Park et al. have conducted numerous tests on circular and square RC columns (Li and
Park, 2001). Based on the test results, they modified Manders model for predicting the
performance of high-strength concrete columns with various types of reinforcement
configurations. The Li and Park model can be used for the cases of both unconfined and
confined concrete. Since their model is mainly for regarding the performance of high-strength
concrete, it will not be explained here.
(f) Cusson and Paultre Model
Recent research projects conducted in the field of confined high-strength concrete include studies
done by Cusson and Paultre (1993) on the development of a stress-strain model and its
calibration against test results from 50 large-scale high-strength concrete tied columns tested
under concentric loading. From those 50 test specimens, 30 high-strength concrete confined
columns were experimented on by Cusson and Paultre, whereas the other 20 tests were
conducted earlier by others. Since their work is mostly about the behavior of, and effect of
confinement on high-strength concrete, the model will not be explained in further detail.
(g) Saatcioglu and Razvi Model
An interesting analytical model was proposed by Saatcioglu and Razvi. (Saatcioglu and Razvi,
1992) to construct a stress-strain relationship for confined concrete. The model consists of two
parts: a parabolic ascending branch, followed by a linear descending branch. Lateral
reinforcement in the sense of equivalent uniform lateral pressure in both circular and rectangular
columns was used to develop the model characteristics for the strength and ductility of the
confined concrete. The model has been compared with different types of column tests, including
circular, square, and rectangular, as well as welded wire fabric. Spirals, rectilinear hoops, and
cross ties have been used as lateral reinforcement in confined columns. Concentrating on the part
of the model representing square columns, the confined concrete strength is calculated as:
93
' '
1
cc
co l
f f k f = + (6.34)
where
cc
f and
co
f are the confined and unconfined strengths of concrete in a member,
respectively. Coefficient
1
k varies with different values of lateral pressure
l
f . Based on the test
data, a relationship between these two parameters has been established as:
( )
0.17
1
6.7
l
k f
= (6.35)
where f
l
is the uniform confining pressure in MPa.
Unconfined concrete strength
co
f is the plain concrete strength in a member under
concentric loading. It might be different than the standard cylinder strength.
While the lateral confining pressure can easily be obtained from circular column tests,
that is not the same for square and rectangular columns. Therefore, the term effective lateral
pressure f
le
has been proposed as:
2 le l
f k f = (6.36)
and
sin
s yt
l
c
A f
f
sb
=
(6.37)
where
2
k is the 1.0 for circular columns and square columns with closely spaced lateral and
laterally supported longitudinal reinforcement, is the angle between the transverse
reinforcement and
c
b , and is equal to 90 degrees if they are perpendicular.
In general
2
k is expressed as:
2
1
0.26 1.0
c c
l l
b b
k
s s f
| || |
| |
=
| | |
\ .
\ .\ .
(6.38)
where pressure is in MPa. The strain corresponding to the peak stress of confined concrete (
cc
f )
is denoted as
1
and is calculated as similar to that found by previous researchers (Balmer 1949;
Mander et al. 1988):
94
( )
1 01
1 5K = + (6.39)
where
1 le
co
k f
K
f
=
(6.40)
In the above equations,
01
is the strain corresponding to the peak stress of unconfined
concrete, which should be determined under the same rate of loading used for the confined
concrete. In the absence of experimental data the value 0.002 may be used. This concludes the
first part of the model, i.e., the ascending branch of the stress-strain curve.
The descending branch of the curve is linear and connects the points (
1
,
cc
f ) and
(
85
0.85 ,
cc
f ) on the plane of the stress-strain curve. The value of strain corresponding to 85% of
confined concrete strength is calculated as:
85 1 085
260 = + (6.41)
where is the volumetric ratio of transverse reinforcement and is expressed as:
( )
s
cx cy
A
s b b
=
+
(6.42)
and
085
is the strain corresponding to 85% of the strength level beyond the peak stress of
unconfined concrete. Again it should be determined under the same rate as for the confined
concrete specimen. If no test data are available the value 0.0038 might be used.
Based on all the above-mentioned parameters, a stress-strain relationship for confined
concrete has been proposed:
1
2
1 2
1 1
2
K
c c
c cc cc
f f f
+
(
| | | |
( =
| |
(
\ . \ .
(6.43)
This is a parabolic relationship and is valid up to the peak stress point, after which the
relationship is converted to a linear descending one.
(h) Sakino Model
Much research conducted in the field of confined concrete has been by Japanese researchers.
This study will discuss research by Sakino et al. (1993). Many of these tests have been conducted
95
on circular as well as rectangular confined RC columns under axial loading. Different types of
transverse reinforcement have been used to obtain effective confinement for an RC column. The
main stress-strain equation is represented as follows:
( )
( )
2
2
1
1 2
c c cB
AX D X
A X DX
+
=
+ +
(6.44)
where
c cB
is the confined concrete strength and is determined as:
c cB p h yh
= + (6.45)
where
yh
is the steel strength. The expression
p
stands for plain concrete stress and is
determined as:
p c B
= (6.46)
where
c B
is the strength of a standard concrete cylinder, and is a coefficient which is equal to
0.8 for circular columns, and 1.0 for square columns. The coefficient is determined differently
for circular and square columns. For square columns it is equal to:
1
2
s
c
d s
k
C D
| |
| |
=
| |
\ .
\ .
(6.47)
where 11.5
s
k = ;
c
D is the center-to-center dimension of a steel hoop; and C is the transverse
distance between any two anchored longitudinal bars.
Three parameters used in expressions X, A, and K are proposed as follows:
c c co c cB
co c cB p
E
X A K
= = = (6.48)
co
is the strain corresponding to the peak stress of a confined concrete member and is
determined as:
( )
( )
1 4.7 1 1.5
3.35 20 1.5 1.5
co o
K K
K K
+
=
+
(6.49)
o
is cylinder strain at peak stress:
96
( )
1
3
4
0.5243 10
o c B
= ` (6.50)
E
c
is Youngs modulus, which is calculated as:
1
2
3
5
4 10
1000 2.4
c B
c
E k
| | | |
=
| |
\ . \ .
(6.51)
and k is an empirical coefficient expressed as follows, depending on the type of raw materials in
the concrete mix.
1.0
1.2
0.9
k
(6.52)
The variable D in the main stress-strain equation is calculated as:
( ) 1
23
c B
c B
K
D
= + + (6.53)
where 1.5 = ;
3
1.68 10
= ; and is equal to 0.75 for the steel tube and 0.50 for square
hoops.
(i) Yong, Nour, and Nawy Model
This model was developed based on empirical results of a test program studying the effects of
rectilinear confinement in high-strength concrete subjected to a monotonically increasing
compressive axial load (Yong, Nour, and Nawy et al., 1988). Twenty-four columns of high-
strength concrete were tested. The concrete strength ranged from 12,130 to 13,560 psi. The
columns were rectilinearly confined with lateral ties and longitudinal rebars. All specimens
failed in a single shear plane. #3 longitudinal steel bars were used with 61.5 ksi yield strength,
92.0 ksi ultimate stress, and 28,000 ksi Youngs modulus. Since this model is closely related to
the models already mentioned in detail, and is mostly for high-strength concrete, the model will
not be explained here any further.
97
(j) Martirossian Model
Martirossian (1996) proposed a model for confined high-strength concrete that may be
considered as a revised version of the aforementioned Mander's model for confined concrete.
The revisions have been based on the results from extensive experimental tests on high-strength
concrete columns at the USC Structural Lab. Since Martirossians model is mainly for the
behavior of high-strength concrete, no further discussion will follow.
(k) USC_RC Model
The model for the monotonic stress-strain relationship of confined and cover concrete employed
in the USC_RC model for the analysis of the seismic behavior of bridge piers under different
loading conditions is as proposed by Mander, Priestley, and Park, and is shown in Figure 6.8.
Figure 6.9 shows a case of the confined and cover concrete envelope curves for the material
strengths and section geometry for the column specimens. The ultimate strain for cover and
confined concrete is determined based on the energy-based principle proposed by Mander (1988)
By equating the ultimate strain energy capacity of the confining reinforcement per unit volume
of concrete core (U
sh
) to the difference in area between the confined (U
cc
) and the unconfined
(U
co
) concrete stress-strain curves, plus additional energy required to maintain yield in the
longitudinal steel in compression (U
sc
), the longitudinal concrete compressive strain
corresponding to hoop fracture can be calculated. Therefore:
sh cc sc co
U U U U = + (6.54)
Substituting corresponding values in Equation (6.54) gives:
0 0 0 0
. . . .
sf sp
cu cu
s cc s s cc c c cc cc sl c cc c c
A f d A f d A f d A f d
= +
(6.55)
where
s
= ratio of volume of transverse reinforcement to volume of concrete core;
cc
A = area of
the concrete core;
s
f and
s
= stress and strain in transverse reinforcement; sf
= fracture strain
of transverse reinforcement;
c
f and
c
= longitudinal compressive stress and strain in concrete;
cu
=
spalling strain of unconfined concrete.
98
In the first term of the left-hand side of Equation (6.55), the expression:
0
sf
s s sf
f d U
(6.56)
is the total area under the stress-strain curve for the transverse reinforcement up to fracture strain
sf
. Mander et al. concluded from several test results that the above value is independent of bar
size or yield strength and could be considered accurate within 10% as:
3
110 /
sf
U MJ m = (6.57)
The area under the stress-strain curve for unconfined concrete may be approximated as:
' 3
0
0.017 /
sp
c c co
f d f MJ m
(6.58)
where
'
co
f =quasi-static compressive strength of concrete in MPa (1 MPa=145 psi). Thus
Equation (6.56) simplifies to:
' 3
0 0
110 0.017 /
cu cu
s c c cc sl c co
f d f d f MJ m
= +
(6.59)
So, from the preliminary data, the ultimate confined concrete strain at the first rupture of
transverse steel can be evaluated numerically. This method has been implemented in USC_RC to
evaluate the ultimate confined concrete strain.
Figure 6.10 shows some of the models proposed for the confined concrete stress-strain
curve, and Table 6.1 summarizes some of these models.
Cover and Confined Concrete (USC_RC)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02 0.025
Strain
S
t
r
e
s
s
(
M
P
a
)
Figure 6.9 Confined and cover concrete envelope curves as used in USC_RC for analysis
99
Figure 6.10 Stress-strain models proposed for confined concrete by different researchers
100
Table 6.1 Summary of several models for confined concrete response
Researcher Confined Concrete
Strength
Strain at Strength Ultimate Strain
Richart
' ' 4.1
cc co r
f f f = +
'
'
1 5 1
cc
cc co
co
f
f
( | |
= +
( |
\ .
Sheikh and
Uzumeri
'
co s
cc
f
f
K
=
6
1
'
0.55
10 s s
co
f K
=
85 2
0.225
s s
s
B
s
= +
Mander,
Priestley,
and Park
' '
' '
' '
7.94 2
2.254 1 1.254
l l
cc co
co co
f f
f f
f f
| |
|
= +
|
|
\ .
'
'
1 1
cc
cc co
co
R
f
f
( | |
( |
= +
( |
|
( \ .
Can numerically be evaluated
using an energy based method.
Li and Park
' '
' '
' '
11.4 2
1.413 1 0.413
l l
cc co
co co
f f
f f
f f
| |
|
= +
|
|
\ .
'
8.1 9.1exp
'
cc co
l
co
f
f
(
(
= + (
(
(
| |
|
|
\ .
( )
'
'
'
2 82.75 0.37
l
cu co
co
co
f
f
f
(
(
= +
(
(
Cusson and
Paultre
0.7
1.0 2.1
cc le
co co
f f
f f
| |
= +
|
\ .
1.7
0.21
le
cc co
co
f
f
| |
= +
|
\ .
1.1
50 50
0.15
le
c c c u
co
f
f
| |
= +
|
\ .
Saatcioglu
and Razvi
' '
1
cc
co l
f f k f = + ( )
1 01
1 5K = +
85 1 085
260 = +
Sakino
c cB p h yh
= +
( )
( )
1 4.7 1 1.5
3.35 20 1.5 1.5
co o
K K
K K
+
=
+
Yong,
Nour,
and Nawy
o c
f Kf =
( )
2
3
0.734
0.0035 1
0.00265
yh
c
s
f
h
f
| |
|
\ .
= +
Martirossian
Model
_
' ' 3.68
cc co r
f f f = +
'
1 5 1
'
cc
cc co
co
f
f
( | |
= +
( |
\ .
3 1.1
cu co cc
= +
6.2.2 Hysteretic Response
The hysteretic behavior of the reinforcing steel and concrete, especially the core concrete, has a
remarkable effect on the hysteretic response of an RC member. Accurately modeling the
hysteretic behavior is therefore crucial. General observations show that three basic components
can be observed in the hysteretic response curve of any material or even of a structural member.
These basic components may be described as follows.
101
Figure 6.11 Relationship between curves in a rule-based hysteretic model
Envelope curves can be fixed or re-locatable, or fixed or scalable. These curves are the
backbones of the general hysteretic response. The degradation of material is usually
simulated by shifting and scaling the envelope curves. The degradation can also be
simulated by shifting the returning point. This means that the point of return to an envelope
curve is different compared to the point where the last reversal occurred, a phenomenon
that was observed during all the experiments discussed in this report.
Connection curves are the connections between the envelope curves. There may be several
points of inflation in these curves, as when used to represent pinching, and other softening
and hardening phenomena within the material or structural element. Usually more than one
equation should be employed to simulate these kinds of curves.
Transition curves are those used when a reversal from a connecting curve takes place to
make the transition to the connecting curve that goes in the opposite direction.
Different hysteretic models have been proposed both as a general hysteretic model, and
as models to simulate the hysteretic response of steel or concrete.
Table 6.2 summarizes some general hysteretic models proposed by different researchers.
These models cannot be regarded as both general and accurate. Each model may be applied in a
specific case relatively successfully, while failing in others. As shown in the table, some models
may be tuned to suit a particular case. Since in the current research the main goal is a detailed
study of the seismic behavior of bridge columns, none of these models may be used to simulate
the hysteretic response of a column. On the other hand, proper hysteretic models for materials,
102
namely steel, confined concrete, and unconfined concrete are employed for a detailed analysis.
The results show that this approach yields results that are closer to the experimental results,
rather than simulating the hysteretic response of the whole column by using a tuned version of
any general hysteretic model.
Table 6.2 Summarized specifications of some general hysteretic models
Controlled Parameters Comparative Remarks Model
Type
Stiffness
Degradation
Pinching Strength
Deterioration
Additional
*
parameters
Overall
Versatility
Overall
Complexity
Sketch
Clough
S N N N 0 L L
Fukada
S Y N N 0 L L
Aoyama
S N Y Y 4 M H
Kustu
S N Y N 4 M H
Tani
S Y N N 2 H M
Takeda
S Y N N 1 L M
Park
C Y N N 2 H H
Iwan
S N Y N 1 L M
Takayanagi
S Y Y Y 3 M M
Muto
S Y N N 0 L L
Atalay
C Y Y N 4 L H
Nakata
C Y Y Y 6 H H
Blakeley
S Y N Y 0 L L
Mo
S Y Y N 2 L L
Pivot
S Y Y N 0 M L
Notations: Y: Yes, N: No, S: Straight, C: Curved Line, L: Low, M:Medium, H: High,
103
6.2.2.1 Steel
(a) Simple Bilinear Hysteretic Model
Figure 6.12 shows a simple hysteretic model for steel. The envelope of this model is the bilinear
stress-strain relationship of steel as described and shown in Figure 6.2 (A). Using this model in a
hysteresis analysis provides results that are not as accurate as the results from a more realistic
model. In this simple model, no degradation in strength or stiffness is considered and the strain-
hardening effect is also ignored, as for the bilinear monotonic stress-strain curve.
Figure 6.12 Simple bilinear hysteretic model for steel
(b) Ramberg-Osgood Model
Ramberg-Osgood (1943) equations can be used to get a reasonably good simulation for the
hysteretic behavior of reinforcing steel. Figure 6.13 (Park and Paulay, 1975) shows this model
compared with the experimental data on a sample with the same specifications in terms of yield,
ultimate strength, and modulus of elasticity In fact f
ch
and r in the following equation have been
chosen empirically. The Ramberg-Osgood equation is as follows:
1
1
r
s s
s si
s ch
f f
E f
| |
| = +
|
\ .
(6.60)
where
s
= steel strain,
si
=steel strain at zero stress at the beginning of loading run, f
s
= steel
stress, E
s
= modulus of elasticity of steel, f
ch
= stress dependent on the yield strength and the
plastic strain in the steel produced in the previous loading run, and r= parameter dependent on
the loading run number.
104
Figure 6.13 Hysteretic response of steel, based on Ramberg-Osgood equations
(c) Shibata Trilinear Model
Figure 6.14 shows the Shibata (1982) trilinear hysteretic curve for reinforcing steel. As shown in
this figure, the yield strength in both the positive and negative (tension and compression) sides is
assumed to be equal. The model is flexible in terms of the second and third level stiffness, and
can be tuned to get close to a desired response. Kuramoto and Kabeyasawai (Kuramoto,
Kabeyasawa, Shen, 1995), in their research on the influence of axial deformation on the ductility
of high-strength RC columns under varying triaxial forces, took the post-yield stiffness,E
s3,
and
the reduced stiffness due to the Bauschinger effect, E
s2,
as 1/200 and 1/10 of the elastic stiffness,
E
s1
, respectively. The incline of stiffness changing line C was taken as 1/200 of E
s1
. The model
used to simulate the hysteretic behavior of reinforcing steel in USC_RC is very similar to the
Shibata model, but its flexibility is more comparable to this model, as will be discussed.
105
Figure 6.14 Shibata trilinear hysteretic curve for reinforcing steel
(d) Steel Hysteretic Model Developed and Used in USC_RC
The model developed and used in USC_RC is similar to the model proposed by Shibata (1982)
but more flexible. The model has three major parts, common for any hysteretic model. Before
any strain reversal, the stress and strain follow the monotonic stress-strain curve of steel as
described in the USC_RC program and shown in Figure 6.4. At the turning point (strain reversal)
the modulus of elasticity is assumed to be the same as the initial modulus of elasticity of steel.
As shown in Figure 6.15 the same elasticity is assumed up to a stress after the sign of the
transition of stress (after the stress sign changes from either positive to negative or vice versa)
where the stress absolute value is a portion of the yield strength of the steel. This value can be
tuned by a parameter, P
1
, and the value of this stress is P
1
.f
y
, where f
y
is the yield strength
of steel. At this point the stiffness changes to a fraction of the initial stiffness. The value of the
secondary rigidity can be tuned by changing parameter P
2
. In the model the secondary stiffness
would be (P
1
/P
2.
).E
s
, if in the first or third quarter of the coordinate plane, and (P
1
/(2.P
2.
)).E
s
if in the second and fourth quarter of the coordinate plane, where E
s
is the modulus of the
elasticity of steel. This change in stiffness is to consider a better effect for the strain hardening.
Finally the stress-strain curve follows a linear path on a line lying on the same stress side that
connects the point of ultimate strength and corresponding strain to the point with 1/9 times the
yield strength of steel on the opposite strain side and at the ultimate strain. Figure 6.16 shows a
sample curve of the steel hysteretic response as modeled in USC_RC. At the time just two
parameters have been implemented in the model, but if necessary, increasing the number of
106
parameters to four gives enough flexibility to tune the hysteretic response of the model to
comply well with any desired hysteretic response for steel. The model can be mathematically
explained by defining the stress and strain situation for the states where the initial (previous)
stress-strain state is point 1, 2, or 3. Note that the behavior of the model is symmetric with
respect to the origin because of assuming a symmetrical stress-strain curve for steel. Also, the
direction of movement is shown in Figure 6.15.
For point 1, provided no strain reversal has occurred previously for strains more than the
yield strain in either the positive or negative (tension or compression) directions, the
movement follows the monotonic stress-strain curve of steel. This curve is described in this
chapter and shown in Figure 6.4.
For point 2:
If
1 p y
p
s
P f
E
+
>
then ( ) ( )
line
p s p
E f
+
= + (6.61)
If
1 p y
p
s
P f
E
+
then :
1
1
1
2
( ( ) ( )
2
p y line
y s p
s
P f
P
P f E f
P E
+
= + + (6.62)
where:
2 2
u y u y line
u
f f f f
f
+
+ | |
= +
|
\ .
(6.63)
2 2
u y u y line
u
f f f f
f
+ | |
=
|
\ .
(6.64)
where
p
is the strain at the initial (previous) point,
p
is the stress at the initial (previous)
point,
u
f is the ultimate strength of steel,
y
f is the yield stress of steel,
u
is the rupture strain of
steel, and is a parameter which can be tuned as desired. This parameter has been chosen as 0.9
in the model used in USC_RC for analysis.
For point 3, the behavior is as explained for point 2 with the exception that:
If
1 p y
p
s
P f
E
+
then:
107
1
1
1
2
( ( ) ( )
p y line
y s p
s
P f
P
P f E f
P E
+
= + +
(6.65)
Note that the situation for point 2 moving in the other direction (increase in strain) is identical
with a decrease in strain for point 3 and vice versa. In other words, the behavior is symmetric
with respect to origin.
(P1/P2)Es
0.9 Fy
fy
(P1/2P2)Es
fu
P1 Fy
Ultimate (rupture) strain
Es
1
2
4
3
1
2
3
Figure 6.15 Steel hysteretic curve as modeled in USC_RC
Sample USC_RC Steel Hysteresis Response
-700
-500
-300
-100
100
300
500
700
-0.08 -0.06 -0.04 -0.02 0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08
Strain
S
t
r
e
s
s
(
M
p
a
)
Figure 6.16 A sample hysteretic curve based on the USC_RC data
108
6.2.2.2 Concrete
Hysteretic models developed and proposed by different researchers are more comparable to the
models proposed for the hysteretic behavior of steel. Each model has been developed based on
the specific needs of the researcher. Most of the models are backed by empirical parameters and,
in some cases, theoretical explanation. The following addresses some of the models and the
method used in USC_RC.
(a) Park, Kent, and Sampson Model
A typical curve for the model proposed by Park, Kent, and Sampson (1972) is shown in Figure
6.17. The envelope curve for the compressive stress is represented by the relationship determined
by Kent and Park (19691990) for concrete confined by hoops under monotonic loading. A
linear stress-strain curve for concrete in tension may be assumed, having the same slope as the
curve for compression at zero stress. The actual response of the concrete in this model, at the
reversal of strain and stress, is approximated by a bilinear curve as demonstrated in the figure.
Figure 6.17 Hysteretic behavior of concrete as modeled by Park, Kent, and Sampson
109
(b) Kuramoto and Kabeyasawa Model
Figure 6.18 shows the hysteretic model for confined and cover concrete used by Kuramoto and
Kabeyasawa (1991). Their hysteretic model is a divided linear model. As shown in the figure, B
is the cover concrete strength, K is the confinement coefficient, and E
c1
is the initial stiffness of
cover concrete, which is taken to be the same for confined concrete. All other parameters are self
evident and their values can be tuned as needed, as was done by Kuramoto and Kabeyasawa.
Figure 6.18 Kuramoto and Kabeyasawa model for hysteretic behavior of concrete
(c) Mander et al. Model
The procedure adopted by Mander et al. to simulate the hysteretic behavior of reinforced
concrete is similar to the approach used by Takiguchi et al. (1976) but modified to be suitable for
both unconfined and confined concrete. Figure 6.19 shows the model for the unloading branch
and determination of plastic strain. In the figure .
un
and f
un
are the unloading strain and stress,
respectively;
pl
is the plastic strain. Mander et al. proposed a relatively complicated procedure
to define the hysteretic curve.
110
Figure 6.19 Stress-strain curves for unloading branch and determination of plastic strain
as Mander model.
Figure 6.20 Assumed deterioration in tensile strength of concrete due to prior compression
loading in the Mander model.
111
Figure 6.20 demonstrates the deterioration in the tensile strength of concrete due to prior
compression loading.. In this figure
t
is the tensile strain and f
t
is the initial tensile strength.
The compressive strength of concrete is f
cc
.
Figure 6.21 shows a sample hysteretic stress-strain curve proposed by Mander et al.
(1988) for the reloading curves in particular.
Figure 6.21 Stress-strain curves for reloading branch in the model proposed by Mander et
al. (1988)
(d) Model Developed and Used in USC_RC
The envelope for the model is the monotonic stress-strain curve as shown in Figure 6.9, which is
based on the model proposed by Mander et al. The response of the model is very similar to the
model proposed by Mander et al. (1988), but requires much less computational effort. The
USC_RC model can be very close to the Mander model by tuning the pertinent parameters. At a
strain reversal the curve follows a parabolic path that is concave upward. The initial slope of the
reversal curve is taken to be equal to the initial stiffness of the confined concrete. As the strain is
decreased, the slope is gradually reduced and will be close to zero when the stress approaches
zero. The stress remains zero for strains less than this value. At the second reversal of strain, the
stress remains zero up to a strain where the stress had vanished in the first reversal, and then it
grows with a slope equal to the initial stiffness of the confined concrete in the beginning. The
slope decreases as the strain and corresponding stress increase. The stress increases up to the
envelope curve and then follows that curve. It should be added that for the ascending and
112
descending paths of the hysteretic curve, we may apply two different initial stiffnesses that in
turn may be different from the initial stiffness of the confined concrete. In the analysis of the
experimental results reported here and implemented by USC_RC, these values have been chosen
to be identical. The model developed and used in USC_RC mathematically is as follows:
For ascending and descending within the elastic range of the confined concrete response
(defined here within a strain of 0.015 for confined concrete) the path follows the monotonic
stress-strain curve as described earlier.
For ascending from a point with a strain of
p
and a stress of
p
, as shown in Figure 6.22,
the stress is evaluated as:
( )
( )
2
2
1
1 1
1
1 1
2
2
4
2
2
cc cc p
c cc
p
cc c c
cc cc p
cc
c p
c c
f f
E f
f E E
f f
f
E
E E
| |
|
= + +
|
|
\ .
| |
|
+
|
|
\ .
(6.66)
where ( ) 0
con
f ,
1 c
E is the slope when the stress is zero,
cc
f is the confined concrete
strength, is the new strain, and ( )
con
f is the monotonic stress of the confined concrete at the
new strain.
For descending from a point with a strain of
p
and a stress of
p
as shown in Figure 6.23,
the stress is evaluated as follows:
For
2
2
cc p
p
c
f
E
> ,
( )
2
2
1
2
2
4
cc p
con c
p
cc c
f
E
f
f E
| |
| =
|
\ .
(6.67)
For
2
2
cc p
p
c
f
E
, 0. = (6.68)
In this model,
1 c
E and
2 c
E can be provided as is proper by the user. In USC_RC these
values have been chosen to be the same as the initial stiffness of the confined concrete. Although
the tensile stress of concrete has been ignored, it is not difficult to include in the model.
Considering the tensile strength of concrete with the deterioration caused by the previous
compressive loading, and replacing the ascending curve with a line, makes the model very close
to what Mander et al. proposed for the hysteretic behavior of concrete. Another model similar to
113
this but with a linear path for the descending and ascending branches was developed for the very
preliminary testing of the code. Since this preliminary simple hysteretic model is not used in
USC_RC, it will not be discussed.
Figure 6.22 USC_RC confined concrete hysteretic model, ascending path
Figure 6.23 USC_RC confined concrete hysteretic model, descending path
114
Sample USC_RC Confined Concrete Hysteresis
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
0 0.002 0.004 0.006 0.008 0.01 0.012 0.014 0.016 0.018 0.02
Strain
S
t
r
e
s
s
(
M
p
a
)
Figure 6.24 Confined concrete hysteretic behavior curve: a sample based on the data from
USC_RC
(e) USC_RC Cover Concrete
The hysteretic model for cover concrete is, in general, similar to the model used for confined
concrete. The differences are the envelope curve, and initial stiffness, and ultimate strength. The
envelope for the cover concrete is also based on the model proposed by Mander et al. In this
model, if the confinement coefficient is taken to be zero, the resulting curve can be used to
simulate the envelope for the cover concrete stress-strain curve, with the exception that the tail of
the curve at strains beyond 0.004 is replaced by a straight line. Figure 6.25 shows a sample of the
hysteretic response of the model used for cover concrete in USC_RC.
Sample USC_RC Concrete Hysteresis Response
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
0 0.001 0.002 0.003 0.004 0.005 0.006
Strain
S
t
r
e
s
s
(
M
p
a
)
Figure 6.25 Cover concrete hysteretic behavior as modeled in USC_RC
7 Analytical Methods
In general the number of analytical methods developed for treating different cases is not limited,
and based on the nature of the problem each researcher has developed an analytical tool and
proposed a method to predict the behavior of a member or structure. These kinds of methods or
tools may not be considered as the main standard tools, even if the predictions made using them
were successful for some experiments. A method for treating a problem may be considered
reliable if supported efficiently by a theoretical background, while yielding a good prediction for
all the actual situations within the framework of the problem. However, all these mathematical
models attempt to represent the gross structural response accurately. The aspects of methods
dealing with the structural behavior of reinforced concrete can be classified into three categories:
(a) modeling of material properties, (b) studies at the micro-structural level, and (c) studies at the
macro-structural level. Considering the aforesaid, these models will be considered as analytical
tools and some proposed methods will be reviewed for predicting the flexural strength and
behavior of the members. The modeling of material properties was detailed in the previous
chapter.
7.1 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS
The finite element method has been used under different assumptions and various methods as an
analytical tool for RC members and structures. The shape of the element, number of nodes, linear
or nonlinear approximations for displacement or strain within the element, as some basic
assumptions, have led to many analytical methods within this category. As already mentioned,
each individual method suits its corresponding application. The main concept, however, is
dividing the member into elements small enough to yield the desired accuracy, with specified
node number, proper displacement approximation, and finally, a suitable constitutive law.
116
Ngo and Scordelis (1967) developed a finite element model for reinforced concrete and
carried out an analysis of beams with a predefined crack pattern. The first model included a
cracking and bond simulation capability so that the stresses in the crack vicinity can be
computed. This model was called the discrete crack model. Since the publication of this
pioneering work, the analysis of reinforced concrete has received great interest. Soon after the
discrete crack model, a second approach was developed by Rashid (1968), who looked at the
problem in a more global sense. This approach represented cracked concrete as an elastic
orthotropic material with reduced elastic modulus in the direction normal to the crack plane.
Within the finite element, the cracked concrete behavior was represented by the average stress-
strain relation. It located zones of cracking and how crack development affected the overall
response of the structure. This model was called the smeared crack model.
Ignatakis et al. (1989) used this model (Figure 7.1) for RC columns under axial and shear
loading. In this study, the concrete was represented by rectangular elements with smeared
cracking, each one of which was subdivided by its diagonals into four simple triangular
elements. The steel reinforcement was represented by separated one-dimensional elements. The
interaction between concrete and steel was connected by a nonlinear spring linkage element for
the bond-slip effect. It was reported that the model was capable of accounting for the
complicated stress and strain distribution of a short column under axial and shear loading to
failure, including the crack pattern. The advantages for this model are that the local behavior can
be monitored and used for arbitrary shapes. The major disadvantages are the large amount of
computation required and lack of capability for determining the behavior under cyclic loading.
Furthermore, it is not obvious how the stress-strain relationship should be modified for biaxial
loading.
In 1929, Wagner proposed the diagonal tension field for the post-buckling shear
resistance of thin webbed metal beams. He assumed that the thin web could not resist
compression after buckling, and that the shear would be carried by diagonal tension.
Mitchell and Collins (1991) applied Wagner's model to reinforced concrete assuming that
concrete carries no tension after cracking and that the shear is carried by a field of diagonal
compression. This model called the diagonal compression field theory, was based on the
smeared-crack concept, with equilibrium, compatibility, and stress-strain relationships
formulated in terms of the average strains and average stresses. Uniform normal stress, shear
stresses, and deformation are assumed in the elements. The basic assumptions are:
117
Figure 7.1 Finite element mesh: (1) concrete, (2) steel, (3) linkage elements
Figure 7.2 Compression field theory for reinforced concrete element
1. For each strain state there exists only one corresponding stress state.
2. Stresses and strains are considered in terms of average values over areas or distances large
enough to include several cracks.
3. The average stress and strain can be expressed by using Mohr's circle.
4. Concrete and reinforcing bars are perfectly bonded together.
5. The longitudinal and transverse reinforcement are uniformly distributed.
6. Concrete and steel have the same average strain.
118
7. The cracked concrete has the same principal axes direction for stress and strain.
8. The deformation is assumed so that the edges remain straight and parallel.
The concept of this theory is to establish the relationship between the stress circle and the
co-existing strain circle. The theory is schematically summarized in Figure 7.2, where:
x
,
y
,
xy
= plane strain components
f
x
,f
y
,
xy
= plane stress components
1
,
2
= principal tensile and compressive strain in concrete
f
c1
,f
c2
= principal tensile and compressive stress in concrete
sx
,
sy
= reinforcement ratio in x and y directions
f
xy
,f
yy
= yield stress of x and y reinforcement
Ghee et al. (1985) used this theory and subdivided a circular column section into a series
of concrete laminate and reinforcement elements for ultimate strength analysis. Recently, Collins
and Vecchio (1986) modified this by considering the average tensile stress in the cracked
concrete, called Modified Compression Field Theory (MDCFT). Collins and others used this
theory to study different loading in reinforced concrete, including reinforced concrete subjected
to shear and cyclic loading. Seible and others also incorporated the MDCFT in developing an in-
plane nonlinear finite element method for the modeling of a concrete and masonry system. The
model can predict the structural behavior from the initial undamaged condition to the ultimate
collapse, including simulation of cracking, yielding, and crushing. Good agreement was reported
between the predicted response and observed tests. It was shown that the modified compression
field theory is capable of predicting the response of reinforced concrete to in-plane shear,
flexural, and axial stresses by considering equilibrium conditions, compatibility requirements,
and average stress-strain relationships. Although this model is complex for the design of a single
member, the procedure has the capability to provide a rational method for the analysis and design
of members having unusual geometry or loading. The disadvantages of this model are the
computational time and that the influence of intersecting cracks under biaxial loading have not
been considered.
Zeris and Mahin (1991) proposed a kind of finite element model for the analysis of the
nonlinear behavior of RC columns under biaxial excitation. The formulation accounts for most
aspects of axial-flexural behavior. Their biaxial beam-column element models prismatic
members with a straight longitudinal axis. The typical column is discretized into individual steel
119
and concrete fibers located in sections monitored along the member. In their method, at least two
sections must be defined. At the section level, the basic assumption of plane remaining plane is
applied. Linear flexibility variation is assumed between monitored sections. So, even if the
location of the interior section is arbitrary, it is dictated by the need for realism in establishing
the flexibility distribution. In general, this method is very close to the fiber model, the only
difference being the way strain variation or rotation of the section is approximated. In some cases
a Hermitian approximation for the rotation has been properly applied. If the number of elements
along the member is such that a linear approximation can be used for variation of rotation or
curvature within the element, there is no difference between this method and the conventional
fiber model, i.e., in other words, the fiber model may be regarded as a finite element method with
its own approximations.
Figure 7.3 Discretization of circular member cross section into concrete laminate and
longitudinal steel elements
120
Figure 7.4 Element and section representation in the Zeris and Mahin method
Assa and Nishiyama (1998) presented an analytical method for the prediction of load-
flexural deformation curve of RC columns subjected to simulated seismic loading. Their method
is based on a finite element approach that allows for spreading of inelasticity along the member.
The effect of the transverse reinforcement is considered in the uniaxial stress-strain relationship
of the confined concrete. Their method is actually a kind of matrix analysis in which plastic
hinges are also assumed at the proper nodes.
A constitutive model for RC finite element analysis, presented by Collins et al. (1991),
may be implemented into a finite element formulation. The proposed approach works strictly in
terms of the average stresses and average strains for both the concrete and the reinforcing steel.
A result of the approach is that the proposed concrete tensile response must reflect the influence
of the amount, distribution, and orientation of the reinforcement. For example, if the concrete is
not reinforced, the average tension in the concrete must reduce rapidly to zero. On the other
hand, if a large amount of well-distributed reinforcement is present, then considerable average
tension should remain in the concrete after cracking.
Braga and Laterza (1998) proposed a new constitutive law that is valid for confined
concrete. The transverse stresses induced by a hoop, either square or circular, in the cross section
of axially loaded RC columns or beams are evaluated using Airy's functions relevant to plane
strain states. The results for the square or circular hoops are then extended to hoops of polygonal
shape, with or without bindings, and to a combination of hoops of different shapes. The
formulation, valid for the cross section containing the hoop, is extended to the overall volume of
the member through the interaction between hoops and longitudinal reinforcement.
121
Arya and Hegemier (1982) investigated a constitutive model for masonry concrete
analysis. In this model, cracking and debonding were modeled by a double-node pair. It was
reported that this model could rationally predict complex nonlinear behavior of concrete masonry
assemblages such as shear walls and piers under both monotonic and cyclic loading.
Hegemier et al. (1986) introduced a mixture model to combine the concrete and steel
nonlinear material properties for RC behavior, accounting for the steel-concrete interaction. The
major advantage of this model is that the bond slip mechanism was integrated with a general
nonlinear finite element from material properties, instead of introducing a special element. It
should also be noted that the local behavior of the reinforced concrete could be monitored. This
bond slip model has been successfully used to simulate the response of full-scale RC panels
subjected to monotonic pull-out and tension tests and cyclic tension-compression loading. All the
tests included debonding, slip, and concrete cracking. A major disadvantage of this constitutive
model approach for practical application is the need for extensive computational power. It is also
apparent that the application of this model to biaxial lateral force needs more investigation.
One of the finite element methods closely related to the analytical work done in this
report is the method of evaluating the flexural deformation of an RC member by using a one-
dimensional element, proposed by Golafshani et al. (2000). The scope of their research was to
develop a one-dimensional element to demonstrate the nonlinear behavior of concrete filled
tubes under cyclic as well as monotonic loads. Their one-dimensional element works in plane
and extension to the three-dimensional case is claimed to be straightforward. In their method, a
beam-column fiber element for the large displacement, inelastic strain analysis was implemented
for the cyclic analysis of concrete-filled steel tubes (CFT). The method of displacement
approximation was a total Lagrangian formulation. An eight-degree-of-freedom element with
three nodes was chosen. The nodes at the ends have three degrees of freedom, while the node in
the middle has two degrees of freedom. The quadratic Lagrangian shape functions for axial
deformation and the cubic quadratic Hermitian shape function for the transverse direction were
used. It was assumed that a perfect bond is maintained between the steel shell and concrete core.
In formulating the problem, the following assumptions were proposed:
Plane sections before and after banding remain plane.
Shear deformations due to the size of the sections are negligible.
During loading history the shell will not buckle. This assumption has had a negligible effect
on the results for moderate and low ratios.
122
Effects of confinement on the concrete and biaxial state of stress in the steel shell have been
accounted for through the uniaxial models for confined concrete and employment of proper
coefficients.
Effects of creep and shrinkage have been neglected because of their small influence on the
behavior of concrete-filled tubes.
Effects of residual stresses have been neglected.
These assumptions make their method very close to a perfect fiber model analysis, and
the only difference is the application of the finite element method through a one-dimensional
element as a substitute for the plastic hinge assumption and method.
7.2 YIELD SURFACE MODEL
In 1976, Takizawa and Aoyama (1976) introduced a biaxial trilinear degrading model, using the
plasticity theory. The model was developed with stress-strain corresponding to the member end-
moment, M, and end-rotation, . The basic curve for this model is a trilinear curve, which was
derived from sectional analysis and characterized by crack and yield points. The crack and yield
conditions were postulated to be represented by ellipses in the moment space. In the biaxial
moment space are two yield surfaces, an inner cracking surface and an outer yield surface.
Figure 7.5 shows the yield surfaces in the stress space and the related trilinear skeleton curves for
uniaxial flexure in the principal directions X and Y. Two yield functions were established to
check the stress stage for the cracking surface:
2
2
0 1
1
0
x x
Cx
y y
Cy
M M
M f
M M
M
(
( (
(
=
( (
(
(
(7.1)
and for the yield surface:
2
2
0 1
1
0
x x
Yx
y y
Yy
M M
M g
M M
M
(
( (
(
=
( (
(
(
(7.2)
where:
x
M ,
y
M = current bending moments about the X and Y axes;
Cx
M ,
Cy
M = crack moments about the X and Y axes;
123
Yx
M ,
Yy
M = yield moments about the X and Y axes.
The following criteria of three-part plasticity were used for loading during biaxial
flexure.
1 elastic range
1 and 1 cracked and unyielded range
1 and 1 yielding range
f
f g
f g
<
<
(7.3)
Figure 7.5 Skeleton curves and yield surfaces for yield surface model
Here, the elastic stiffness is modified once the cracking surface is reached, beyond which
the cracking surface translates without changing shape. Upon reaching the yield surface, both the
cracking and yielding surfaces are allowed to expand along the direction of yielding. Ziegler's
hardening rule was used for the translation of the crack surface and the expansion for the crack
and yield surfaces. Degradation is achieved by factoring the unloading stiffness with a
degradation factor.
124
Chen and Powell (1986) continued the study of this model, using two approaches: (a) the
distributed plasticity approach that assumes that yielding is distributed over the element. The
element stiffness is determined by integrating along the member. The multidimensional action-
deformation relationship must be specified for the cross section. (b) The lumped plasticity
(plastic hinge) approach in which yield is assumed to take place only at the plastic hinge region
of zero length, and the beam between the hinges is assumed to remain linearly elastic. In this
approach, the multidimensional action-deformation relationship must be specified for the hinges.
Takizawa and Aoyama (1976), as well as Chen and Powell verified the lumped plasticity
by comparison with the experimental data obtained by Takizawa and Aoyama at the University
of Tokyo. The tests included uniaxial and biaxial bending. It has been shown that the lumped
plasticity model was able to capture certain essential features of three-dimensional beam-column
behavior. In addition to the lumped plasticity model, Chen and Powell studied the model of
distributed plasticity to determine whether it produced results in agreement with the experimental
results for the inelastic response of braced structures. The analytical results were compared with
the test conducted by Zayas, Mahin, and Popov (1981). Even though the overall response was
similar, it was found that the analysis predicted substantially less stiffness and strength
degradation.
Lumped plasticity modeling is particularly suitable for the analysis of building frames
under seismic loads because plastic action in such a structure is usually confined to small regions
at the beam and column ends; the distributed plasticity model is preferable for structures in
which the plastic zone locations are not known in advance. The advantage of the lumped
plasticity model is the efficiency in computation. The disadvantages are that the local effect of
the analysis cannot be monitored, the strength degradation due to crushing and spalling of the
concrete cover cannot be considered, and the debonding behavior is not addressed.
7.3 FIBER MODEL
In this model, and in its commonly used version for the flexural analysis of a prismatic or
cylindrical member, the fundamental assumption of plane remaining plane is employed. The
Zeris and Mahin model (1991), already described in Section 7.1, may also be considered as a
kind of fiber model. In the fiber model, the section is divided into some small elements, which
may be considered as the cross section of the fibers making the column. Figure 7.6 shows a
sample case where the cross section of a rectangular RC concrete member has been divided into
125
steel and concrete fibers. For a force-deflection analysis, the fiber can then be divided along the
member, so that the member is divided into fiber elements with a specific length. Afterwards,
the axial deformation of each fiber is formulated, which in turn provides the axial-flexural
behavior of the section. The finer the mesh, the more precise the results. The fiber model is in
fact a finite element method in which some constraints have been applied. The main condition is
the assumption of plane remaining plane, the other is the linear approximation of deformation
along each fiber element. There are some other versions of the fiber model in which the aforesaid
constraints are not strictly applied. This methodology is actually more finite element than fiber
model, but may be categorized as the latter considering the fiber elements employed.
Figure 7.6 A section divided into longitudinal fibers along the member, as in fiber model
Chang et al. (1994) proposed a fiber-element modeling of the cyclic biaxial behavior of
RC columns to examine the computational aspects of simulating the moment-curvature and
force-displacement behavior of RC columns subjected to cyclic biaxial bending and axial load.
Starting from first principles the basic equations of biaxial behavior are derived. Advanced
constitutive models for normal and high-strength concrete, and for the cyclic and low-cycle
fatigue behavior of reinforcing and prestressing steel bars are integrated in a fiber-element
procedure for the simulation of the cyclic and fatigue behavior of columns subjected to biaxial
126
loading. Chang et al. presented two different implementations of the fiber-element modeling
procedure. The first uses a five-node rectangular element using a quadratic interpolation
function, the second a five-node circular-trapezoidal element more appropriate for circular
columns. The use of quadratic interpolation functions in both elements improves convergence,
and thus fewer elements are needed in the discretization process.
7.4 MULTISPRING MODELS
Lai et al. (1984) developed an analytical model to simulate the hysteretic and stiffness degrading
behavior of RC members subjected to axial load and biaxial bending interaction. The model
separates the member into two inelastic elements. Each inelastic element, composed of
individual spring elements simulates the inelastic effects of the member as well as the cumulative
slip of the anchored bars in the beam-column joint. The formulation of the spring model is based
only on the static equilibrium of the cross section according to the current ACI code. The model
does not provide any information about the moment-curvature of the section and works only for
modeling the end parts of the element. The area of the concrete springs is assigned based on the
current axial force and bending moment, and evaluated according to the ACI stress block
concept, and is variable in each step. Therefore, in each time increment during the analysis, the
spring area should be updated in addition to the material property. If the section is not
symmetric, an approximation is applied by averaging the scaled values for the concrete springs
in the x and y directions. The model cannot be applied for moment-curvature.
127
Figure 7.7 A cross section divided into steel and concrete springs, as proposed by Lai et al.
Li (1988) proposed a practical multispring model to simulate the behavior of a section
subjected to varying axial load and bilateral bending moment. The model is used mainly to
model the nonlinear behavior of the end parts but can still be used to model the moment-
curvature of the section. Getting a reasonable result requires a large number of springs, which are
usually located at the center of the corresponding parts of the section they replace. This model is
actually a kind of the aforesaid fiber model with the same computational deficiency.
A refinement of this model by Lai, Will, and Otani (1984) was provided by Ghusn and Saiidi,
(1986) and Jiang and Saiidi (1990), who considered four corner composite springs (1, 2, 3, and 4
in Figure 7.8c) instead of separating them into steel and concrete and one concrete spring (5 in
Figure 7.8c) at the center of the member as with the original model described above.
Thus, the nine-spring model was reduced to a five-spring model. When the composite
springs are subjected to tension, a steel member representing the longitudinal reinforcement
resists the force. A compression force on these springs, however, is resisted by the composite
action of the concrete and steel. Because of the difference in the tensile and compressive
behavior, the stress-strain curve for the composite springs is unsymmetrical.
Furthermore, Saiidi and Jiang improved the model by using only four corner spring
elements (1, 2, 3, and 4 in Figure 7.8d), and compared the results with biaxially loaded columns
with a constant or variable axial force. Compared with the five-spring model, the major
advantage of this model is that only one type of spring is used, the composite spring. Even
though the spring number had been reduced, the comparison between analytical results and
experimental data was still good and the computation more efficient. It was shown that this
128
model can simulate the stiffness degrading behavior of RC members with ductile flexural
behavior. Compared with the fiber model previously discussed, the multispring model is a
simplified fiber model with more efficient computation. Shear effects in this model were ignored
as in the fiber model.
A very simple multispring model, simulating the moment-curvature behavior of RC
circular sections, is developed. This model is presented in Appendix 3.
Figure 7.8 Multispring model
129
7.5 PLASTIC HINGE ASSUMPTION AND METHODS
The calculation of the flexural deflection of an RC member can be carried out by two different
main methods. The first uses the finite element approach but needs a huge amount of
computational effort, even for the fiber-model-based analysis. When the number of fibers in the
cross section and the number of segments, along the member length, are not low, and a hysteretic
analysis for a cyclic loading with a variable axial load is needed, the amount of required memory
and computation are not comparable with other methods based on the assumption of a plastic
hinge. It is evident that in the finite element method, the method of displacement approximation
plays a significant role in the accuracy of the results. This is a major issue especially within the
transition length, described later, where elementary assumptions cannot be applied. In other
words, in the finite element method, even with a very fine mesh, when the curvature at the
critical section falls on the descending branch of the moment-curvature response of the section,
the corresponding stiffness matrix is not positively definite anymore, and analytically we cannot
go beyond the maximum moment point without resorting to some trial and error or, as called in
finite element analysis texts, adaptive methods. So, the concept of a plastic area, or transition
area, where the stress and strain distribution over the cross section becomes normal when the
curvature at the critical section falls on the descending branch of the analytical moment
curvature, should somehow be employed and a proper curvature (displacement) approximation
should be applied to solve the problem. Considering this, one way of reducing the number of the
segments along the member is to have some idea about the maximum level of the lateral load
that may occur, and then limit the part that falls within the elastic part to just a single element in
the longitudinal direction. This will drop the generality of the solution and also divides the
element into elastic and plastic regions. The plastic region will not be constant in length and has
a variable length depending on many factors, namely the axial load level, and the lateral force
and its corresponding moment at different sections. The overall picture of the problem leads us to
the most popular approach, the plastic hinge method.
In this method, the deformation is divided into elastic and plastic parts, as is described in
the following.
130
7.5.1 General Description of Plastic Hinge Method
Figure 7.9 is a typical illustration of the plastic hinge method (Priestley and Park, 1987). In this
method, the flexural deflection is divided into two main parts:
e p
= + (7.4)
where
e
is the elastic flexural deflection or contribution of the member flexural deflection
excluding the plastic hinge length. This deflection may either be calculated exactly based on the
moment-curvature relationship or based on the assumption that the curvature distribution within
the yield curvature is linear.
p
is the deflection resulting from the plastic hinge and is
calculated as follows:
Figure 7.9 Typical plastic hinge method (Priestley and Park)
( )
2
p
p p p t
l
l l = (7.5)
where l
p
is the plastic hinge length, and l
t
is the total length (which can be different from the column
length as will be mentioned later). If the curvature distribution within the elastic range is assumed to
be linearly distributed,
e
can be calculated as follows at the yield point:
2
1
( )
3
e y t p
l l = (7.6)
131
It should be noted that several versions of the plastic hinge method have been proposed
and that the above is the main framework of the method. In some older versions of this method,
the yield curvature is always assumed to be at the interface of the column (or the section of
critical moment for a member), and when there is some plastic deformation, the extra curvature
is applied within the plastic hinge length. Figure 7.10 shows the way the concept has been used
to get the total deformation by Park and Paulay (1975). As shown, the length used to evaluate the
elastic deflection is kept as the total length for any length of plastic hinge, while in the previously
mentioned method, this length is the total length (total effective length as described) minus the
plastic hinge length. It is obvious that the former method fits real situations more than the older
versions, especially when a relatively high level of curvature is imposed on the critical section
and the situation falls on the descending branch of the moment-curvature curve. In this region the
former method also needs some revision, which will be discussed shortly.
Figure 7.10 Plastic hinge assumption proposed by Park and Paulay (1975).
7.5.2 Empirical Expressions for Plastic Hinge Length
Various empirical expressions have been proposed by investigators for the equivalent length of the
plastic hinge l
p
and the maximum concrete strain
c
at ultimate curvature. In all these older methods,
the total length is used for evaluating the elastic deflection part of the total deflection. These
132
methods cannot be applied when a relatively high curvature is present at the critical section. As
described, the concrete strain must be limited to a certain value, while for a high level of curvature,
the strains usually exceed far beyond the values proposed in these methods. Following is a brief
review of these methods.
7.5.2.1 Baker
Baker (1956) proposed the following equations for plastic hinge length based on experiments.
For members with unconfined concrete:
1
4
1 2 3
( )
p
z
l k k k d
d
= (7.7)
where k
1
= 0.7 for mild steel or 0.9 for cold-worked steel,
k
2
= 1 + 0.5P
u
/P
0
,
where P
u
= axial compressive force in a member, and P
0
= axial compressive strength of the
member without bending moment
k
3
= 0.6 when f
c
= 5100 psi (35.2 N/mm
2
) or 0.9 when f'
c
= 1700 psi (11.7 N/mm
2
), assuming f'
c
=
0.85 cube strength of concrete
z = distance of critical section to the point of contra flexure
d = effective depth of member
Baker indicated that for the range of span/d and z/d ratios normally found in practice, l
p
lies in the
range between 0.4d and 2.4d.
For members confined by transverse steel
More recent work by Baker (1964) proposes an expression for
p
implying that for
members with tension over part of the section:
1 3
0.8 ( )
p
z
l k k c
d
= (7.8)
133
where c is the neutral axis depth at the ultimate moment and the other symbols have the previous
meaning. There are some restrictions stated for the values of the concrete strain, and also for the
steel ratio for the aforesaid equations to be valid and applicable.
7.5.2.2 Corley
From the results of tests on simply supported beams, Corley (Corley, 1966) proposed the following
expression for the equivalent length of the plastic hinge:
0.5 0.2 ( )
p
z
l d d
d
= + (7.9)
He also suggested the following as a lower bound for the maximum concrete strain:
2
0.003 0.02 ( )
20
s y
c
f
b
z
= + + (7.10)
where z = distance from the critical section to the point of contra-flexure, b = width of beam, d =
effective depth of beam in inches (1 in. = 25.4 mm),
s
= ratio of volume of confining steel
(including the compression steel) to volume of concrete core, and f
y
= yield strength of the
confining steel in kips per square inch (1 kip/in.
2
= 6.89 N/mm). In discussing Corley's work, other
investigators proposed simpler forms of equations that fitted the trend of the data reasonably well,
such as:
l
p
= 0.5d + 0.05z (7.11)
0.003 0.02 0.2
c s
b
z
= + +
(7.12)
This modification to the equation for
c
makes it more conservative for high values of
s
.
7.5.2.3 Priestley and Park
Priestley and Park (1987) proposed a plastic hinge length that considers the strain penetration into
the footing for columns, and is dependent on the rebar diameter and column length. The plastic
hinge length proposed is:
0.08
p y
l l f d = + (7.13)
134
in which l is the length of the column, is a coefficient that is 0.15 in. (0.022 mm),
s
is the steel
stress in the furthest rebar, and d is the diameter of the main rebar. If the curvature distribution
within the elastic range is assumed to be linearly distributed,
e
can be calculated as follows at yield
point:
2
1
( )
3
e y t p
l l = (7.14)
where:
t y
l l f d = + (7.15)
The plastic deflection is:
( )
2
p
p p p t
l
l l = (7.16)
and the total deflection is the sum of the elastic and plastic deflections:
e p
= + (7.17)
7.5.3 Discussion of Plastic Hinge Method
As stated earlier, in the oldest versions of the plastic hinge method, it is assumed that for the elastic
part of deformation, the curvature at the critical section is equal to the curvature corresponding to
the first yield of the longitudinal steel. This is not a realistic assumption because as the moment gets
larger (which is usually due to a lateral force), the section where the first yield of the longitudinal
steel occurs shifts away from the critical section, which results in a smaller length of elastic
deformation calculation. It seems that besides the experimental results, due to this reason
analytically all the investigators have somehow related the plastic hinge length to the total length of
the member.
For all the proposed methods, the plastic hinge length is constant except for the model
proposed by Baker, where it is related to the level of axial load, but for a fixed axial load, the
plastic hinge length is constant. This means that for any level of lateral load (or critical moment)
the plastic hinge length does not change, having a constant axial load. This is not consistent with
the experimental observations and analytical findings. Figure 7.11 compares the required plastic
hinge length in the Priestley and Park method based on the experimental data for test 3 where the
axial load is 30%A
g
f
c
and test 4 where the axial load is equal to zero, and the constant plastic
135
hinge length as proposed by the model. Note that the horizontal axis for both figures is the drift
ratio, and that the vertical axis is the plastic hinge length in inches for the length cases and in
kips for the horizontal force. These figures are provided based on the experimental data and for
comparison purposes. The method used to evaluate the equivalent experimental plastic hinge
length for the Priestley and Park method is as follows:
Each test specimen is idealized as a cantilever column. Assuming linear elastic behavior
up to the point where yielding occurs at the base of column, the yield displacement at the tip of
the column can be computed as:
2
3
y
y
L
=
(7.18)
where
y
is the yield curvature at the column base. Byrak and Sheikh (1997), in their method for
evaluating the equivalent plastic hinge length, assumed that the plastic hinge rotation at the base
is concentrated at the center of the plastic hinge, and decomposed the total displacement
max
into two components
y
and
p
, the plastic displacement.
p
was calculated as:
max
( ) ( 0.5 )
p y p p
L L L = (7.19)
Here they assumed a curvature equal to the yield curvature at the column base for
calculating the yield displacement, while the curvature at the top of the plastic hinge will be
equal to
p
y
L L
L
; this is different from the method proposed by Park and Priestley, where the
curvature at the top of plastic hinge is equal to the yield curvature. Byrak and Sheikh concluded
that the equivalent plastic hinge length for all their cases is slightly less than the section depth.
The method used to evaluate the equivalent plastic hinge here is based on the Park and Priestley
method, which yields the following equation for the equivalent plastic hinge length:
2
3 3 6 3 2 2
3 2
u u u y y
p
u y
L L L
L
=
(7.20)
where L is the column length, in the case of a cantilever case, or the distance between the critical
section and the contra-flexure point in the case of a double-curvature member,
u
is the curvature at
the critical section, and
y
is the curvature corresponding to the first yield of the section, which
is defined to be the curvature at the first yield of the longitudinal steel for a specific level of axial
load. To evaluate the experimental plastic hinge length, the experimental values for the ultimate
136
and yield curvatures are evaluated based on the experimental data. In other words, the recorded
strain on the furthermost bar on the critical section is used to locate the first yield instance. Then
the corresponding curvature can be calculated either by using the recorded strains on the
furthermost bars at the two opposite sides of the critical section or by using the data recorded by
the linear extensometers at the two opposite sides of the column on the segment near the critical
section. This process is applicable only for the cases where the level of axial load is constant so
that an experimental value for the yield curvature is available; otherwise the experimental yield
curvature is valid only for the axial load level corresponding to the instance of the first yield of
the longitudinal bar, and cannot be used for other values of the axial load. Figure 7.11 shows that
for a constant axial load, the plastic hinge length is not constant and depends on the level of the
lateral load, or the critical moment.
None of the models discussed so far proposes a variable plastic hinge length as observed
during the tests. Besides the aforesaid experimental evaluation of the plastic hinge length, it was
observed during all tests that for the normally used ranges of the axial and lateral loads, as soon
as the plastic hinge forms, its length grows to a maximum, and as the deflection is increased, the
plastic region shortens very slightly compared to its maximum value, and that the high curvature
imposed at the critical section is limited within this length. As a revision of the Priestley and
Park method, Xiao et al. (1996) have proposed that the tensile stress in the furthermost rebar at
the critical section be used instead of the yield stress of steel in the calculation of the plastic
hinge length. Thus, the equation will be changed to:
0.08
p s
l l d = + (7.21)
where
s
is the tensile stress of the furthermost rebar at the critical section. The elastic part of the
deflection is calculated with the same equation:
2
1
( )
3
e y t p
l l = (7.22)
and the total deflection is the summation of the plastic deflection and the elastic part. This revision
is more realistic from the experimental point of view, since a change in the plastic hinge length is
observed for the members with an axial load below the balance value, and especially when the
section undergoes strain hardening. For the cases with a high level of axial load, however, this
method does not precisely predict the deflection.
137
All the aforesaid methods cannot be applied when the curvature at the critical section
falls on the descending branch of the moment-curvature curve of the section. The method revised
by Xiao needs a slight revision to be applicable in this region. The proposed revision is as
follows:
-60
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Force
Experimental Priestley et al. Plastic Hinge Length
Priestley et al. Plastic Hinge Length
-20
-10
0
10
20
30
-15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15
Force-Drift Ratio
Experimental Park & Priestley Plastic Hinge Length
Park & Priestley Plastic Hinge Length
Figure 7.11 Comparison of the required plastic hinge length in the Priestley and Park
method based on the experimental data, and the constant value as proposed in
the model, on the horizontal-force drift-ratio chart for tests 3 (top) and 4
(bottom). (Note that the vertical axis is length in inches for the plastic hinge
cases and force in kips for the horizontal force, serving just for comparison.)
138
7.5.3.1 Proposed Revision to Priestley and Park Method
For the curvature falling on the ascending branch of the moment curvature, the equations
proposed by Priestley and Park with the revision proposed by Xiao can be used, but for the
descending part, the elastic part of the deformation will be revised as:
( )
2
1
( )( )
3
t p
l l
e y t p
y
M
l l
M
= (7.23)
where M
y
is the moment at the first tensile yield of the furthermost longitudinal bar on the critical
section, and:
( )
( )
t p
t p
l l u
l l
M M
l
= (7.24)
where l is the length of the member for a cantilever case or the distance between the critical section
and the contra-flexure point in a double curvature case, and M
u
is the moment at the critical section.
Applying this revision will enable the method to be used on the falling branch of the moment-
curvature curve, but for a relatively high level of axial load, where the tensile stress of steel is not
high and in some cases does not even get close to the yield stress, the method does not conform well
to the experimental observations. Here a method is proposed for calculating of the flexural
deformation of an RC member with a revised plastic hinge approach. This method is more
comparable to the experimental observations than other methods and can be sufficiently verified
analytically.
139
Figure 7.12 A typical moment-curvature curve for a reinforced concrete section
7.5.4 Proposed Plastic Hinge Methods
Figure 7.12 shows a typical analytical moment-curvature response of an RC section. This curve has
two branches, an ascending branch and a descending branch, for most cases of loading and material
behavior. When a member (here the column) is subjected to a lateral force F, as shown in Figure
7.13, the bending moment is linearly increased from zero to F.L, where L is the column height, and
the distribution of the curvature follows the moment-curvature curve when the moment is mapped
to the column height (when the section throughout the column height is the same, with a scale equal
to F, the concentrated lateral force). As the force increases, the moment and curvature throughout
the column increases. As long as the moment at the column toe remains within the yield moment,
which corresponds to the first yield of the tensile steel at the section (or for very high axial loads, the
yield of the concrete), the curvature distribution is linear, starting from zero at the top and linearly
increasing to its value at the column and footing interface. When the force F is increased, the
moment at the column toe exceeds the yield moment, and there is a nonlinearity in the moment-
curvature curve. For an exact solution (like a fiber-based finite element solution), there is no
problem while the mesh is fine enough to provide the desired accuracy and the curvature is less than
that corresponding to the maximum moment at the critical section, but in the case of a simplified
method like what has been the case for the plastic hinge concept, this nonlinearity can be
approximated well by assuming a linear distribution of the curvature from the yield point where the
curvature is equal to the yield curvature to the toe of the column where the curvature is
u
. This
approximation can be applied up to a force where the moment reaches its maximum value at the
140
column-footing interface. When the curvature exceeds the curvature corresponding to the maximum
moment, the force and the moment at the column-footing interface drops as shown in Figure 7.14.
Figure 7.13 Distribution of curvature along a cantilever case column, for a concentrated
lateral load, where the moment is linearly distributed along the column height
when the curvature at the critical section is less than the curvature
corresponding to the maximum moment
Figure 7.14 Distribution of curvature along a cantilever case column, for a concentrated
lateral load, when the curvature at the critical section exceeds the curvature
corresponding to the maximum moment
Analytically, in this situation this lateral force and the corresponding moment at the
critical section can exist for two curvatures, one before reaching the maximum moment, the other
after passing it. Therefore, two states of stress distribution at the column-footing interface can
represent the situations for the two different cases. In other words, consider a section very close
to the column-footing interface but above it. Analytically, approaching from the top of the
141
column to this section the curvature is close to the curvature at the point marked by the hollow
circle in Figure 7.12, while it jumps to
u
(or
b
as in the figure) at the critical section. If we
look at these two very close adjacent sections analytically, the stress distribution is completely
different. Since in reality this cannot happen, there is an ambiguous distribution of stress within a
distance between two sections on the two different sides of the maximum point. According to the
well-known and accepted Sant Vennans rule, in a case like this the stress distribution becomes
normal within a reasonable distance. Figure 7.12 shows these two points: the point where the
curvature is equal to
b u
= , and the point marked by the hollow circle. There is a transition
length within which the curvature is changed from
u
to a curvature that falls on the left branch
of the moment-curvature curve. It should be noted that the curvature at the point marked by the
hollow circle is never present in reality, and the curvature will change within the transition
distance so that the curvature at the top of the transition length is equal to what is analytically
expected approaching from the top. This transition length is the area where the plastic
deformation is present, and is treated as the plastic hinge length. This change of curvature from
u
to the curvature at the end of the transition length, considered as the plastic hinge length,
which corresponds to the change of stress distribution configuration over the cross section to a
stress distribution on the left branch on the curve, follows a pattern that can be approximated
well by a line. Since the method proposed here should handle cases with a variable axial load, or
a cyclic lateral load, the plastic hinge method cannot be as straightforward as the previous
methods. Considering this fact, the definition of plastic hinge, i.e., defining the pattern of
curvature distribution over the column height, has to be addressed for different loading and
displacement cases. The basics of the proposed method will be explained here, and the algorithm
applied in USC_RC for load displacement analysis will be summarized later.
It is obvious that when the curvature in a section exceeds the yield curvature, the section
undergoes some plastic curvature, and in reversal of loading the return path does not follow the
initial curve and the plastic deformation will not be elastically recovered. In Figure 7.15 the
return path at points A and B, the point corresponding to the maximum moment, and a point
within the yield curvature are shown. As long as the return point is within the elastic range, the
return path follows the initial elastic curve, while for other points the situation is as illustrated.
Two different methods are proposed here. The first method is a simplified version of the
second. Since the idea behind the plastic hinge method is to simplify analysis but still be capable
142
of handling a cyclic loading with a variable axial load condition, the first method is proposed to
fulfill the first goal, while the second method is more complicated and needs more computational
effort.
Figure 7.15 Return path on the moment-curvature curve of a section
7.5.4.1 Method One
This method assumes that the curvature between the point of first yield and the critical section is
linearly distributed. The first yield point is either due to the first yield of the longitudinal bar on the
section or to the first yield of the concrete. The yield of the concrete is defined to be at a strain of
0.002 and when the furthermost fiber of the section undergoes this strain while the steel strain on the
opposite side is still less than the yield strain, it is assumed that the section has experienced its yield,
which is due to concrete. The distance between the section where the first yield occurs to the critical
section is treated as the length on which the transition occurs and will be referred to as
p
l . As the
lateral force grows for the first time, and while the moment at the critical section is less than the
yield moment for the existing axial load, all the length is in a linear elastic state and there is no l
p.
The evaluation of the displacement for any situation is straightforward, in this case, a reversal of the
loading. As the moment at the critical section reaches the yield moment, this value starts to increase
and reaches its maximum when the critical section experiences the maximum moment.
p
l is
evaluated as:
.(1 )
y
p
u
M
l l
M
= (7.25)
143
where l is the total length,
y
M is the yield moment for the existing axial load, and
u
M is the
moment at the critical section. Let this maximum value be l
p-max
. Note that in this method it is
assumed that when a section experiences a plastic deformation, it cannot be treated as elastic in a
different situation, such as reversal of loading as explained earlier. So, the
p
l is always either
growing or constant with its maximum achieved value so far. When the curvature is less than the
curvature corresponding to the maximum moment (for the existing force at the step) and no reversal
has occurred, the curvature at the top of the plastic hinge is equal to the actual analytical value
corresponding to the moment situation. Analytically, it is equal to the yield curvature,
y
, and its
corresponding moment is M
y
, which is also equal to:
( )
p
p
y l u
l l
M M M
l
= =
(7.26)
u
p
l l y
M
l
l l
M M
p
) (
) (
= =
(7.27)
When the curvature on the critical section exceeds the curvature corresponding to the
maximum moment or when a reversal of loading happens, the curvature at the top of this l
p
drops
linearly with the part above it that has been within the elastic-linear range so far. Suppose that
the moment at this instance is
u
M and the yield curvature and moment corresponding to the
existing situation is
y
M and
y
, respectively. Then the curvature at the top of l
p
is equal to:
( )
p
p
l
l y
y
M
M
=
(7.28)
where
lp
is the curvature at the top of the plastic hinge,
y
is the first yield curvature, M
lp
is the
moment at the top of the plastic hinge and is calculated as:
( )
p
p
l u
l l
M M
l
=
(7.29)
144
Figure 7.16 USC_RC plastic hinge, method one
therefore:
( )
( ).
p
p
u
l y
y
l l
M
M l
=
(7.30)
Then the displacement will be:
e p
= + (7.31)
where
p
is the plastic flexural deflection and is calculated as:
0
( )
[ ]( ).
p
p
p
l
u l
p l p
p
x l l x dx
l
= + +
(7.32)
or
1
. .( ) .( ). .( )
2 2 3
p p
p p
p l p u l p
l l
l l l l = +
(7.33)
and
e
is the elastic deflection which is evaluated as:
0
. .
( )
p
p
l l
l
e
p
x dx
l l
(7.34)
145
or
2
1
.( )
3
p
e l p
l l = (7.35)
The algorithm for the method can be summarized as follows:
Initially
p
l is equal to zero. For a given displacement and axial load P , calculate
y
as:
2
1
.
3
y y
l = (7.36)
where
y
is the yield curvature for the given axial load and l is the total length. If
y
, then :
2
3
u
l
= (7.37)
where
u
is the curvature at the critical section. Use
u
to evaluate
u
M (moment at the critical
section), and then the lateral force would be:
u
M
F
l
= (7.38)
during a reversal of loading and while
y
for the case, the problem is linear and the aforesaid
process is applied. If
y
> then by trial and error find the proper
u y
> for which
.(1 )
y
p
u
M
l l
M
= and the curvature at the top of
p
l is
y
, as can also be calculated using Equation
(7.30) so that proper is achieved. Then the corresponding lateral force is simply evaluated as
above. During the process keep the record of the maximum and minimum achieved values for
lateral force, and displacement, and the maximum achieved value for
p
l . When the value of lateral
force falls below the maximum lateral load evaluated so far, or when there is a reversal of loading,
p
l (as is the maximum evaluated value so far) is used and the same trial and error process is applied
to find the proper
u
, where the curvature at the top of
p
l is calculated using Equation (7.30).
A simplified general flowchart for the method is shown in Figure 7.17. Intermediate
algorithms, namely trial and error on the plastic hinge length, or evaluation of the moment
curvature, are not shown.
146
Figure 7.17 Flowchart summarizing the first method for plastic hinge
7.5.4.2 Method Two
As shown by Park and Priestley, a constant plastic hinge length works relatively well for a
member under a constant axial load and a monotonic lateral displacement compared to
experimental results. Park and Priestley have defined this constant length as 0.08 0.15
y
l f d + (or
0.002
y
f d in SI). Sheikh et al. also claimed that assuming a plastic hinge length equal to the
section depth is a good assumption and yields results comparable to test results. The concept of a
fixed plastic hinge length, specifically the Park and Priestley method, was applied by the authors
147
to the cases of pushover analysis under a fixed axial load, and the predictions were satisfactory.
The only deficiency of the method in pushover cases under a constant axial load is that the
variation of the plastic hinge length, which is evident in the experimental results, is ignored, as
shown in Figure 7.11. On the other hand, for a case with a variable axial load and a cyclic lateral
displacement or load, these methods are not applicable. The method presented here combines the
idea of a constant plastic hinge length and the idea presented in the first method to account for
the variation of the plastic hinge length due to both the lateral force and axial load. The total
length of the member is divided into three different areas. A constant length (D, can be
considered as 0.08 0.15
y
l f d + or the section depth) close to the critical section, a transition length
taken as 0.15
y b
f d (or 0.022
y b
f d [SI]) and the rest of the member length that always stays within
the elastic range. The curvature on the part close to the critical section is assumed to be uniform.
The curvature on the transition part changes linearly from the curvature on the previous part to a
curvature which depends on the level of the first yield curvature for the existing axial load and
the level of the lateral force at the moment, as will be discussed. As previously explained, Figure
7.18 shows the assumed distribution of curvature along the column height. At any level of axial
load and displacement, depending on the previous conditions for the base curvature, the new
curvature at the critical section is found by trial and error so that the desired displacement is
achieved. The process needs a trial and error phase because the curvature
t
(curvature at the top
of
trans
L ) is dependent on the level of the base moment and the yield curvature for the existing
axial load. The process may be summarized as follows.
148
Figure 7.18 Distribution of curvature along the column height as assumed in USC_RC
second method
1. Take
cons
l D = , where D is the section depth. For columns with a height to depth ratio of
more than 12.5 use 0.08
cons
l l = .
2. For a given axial load and lateral displacement, evaluate the first yield curvature
y
and
moment
y
M . The process is to evaluate the curvature and moment corresponding to the first
yield of the longitudinal steel, and also corresponding to a strain of 0.002 for the concrete
under the existing axial load. Then, the yield moment and curvature for this level of axial
load is the one having the smaller moment.
3. Knowing the previous base curvature and lateral displacement (zero for the first point) and
the new target lateral displacement, estimate a new base curvature and evaluate the
corresponding moment. Note that the moment is evaluated using the moment-curvature
analysis module, where the hysteretic behavior of the section is considered through
implementing the hysteretic response of the material on the fiber-modeled section. So, the
moment is dependent on the previous history of the curvature experienced by the section.
4. For the base moment, knowing the yield moment and curvature and assuming that the
height above the top of the transition length is linearly elastic, evaluate the curvature at the
top of transition length
t
. The value is evaluated as:
149
( )
( ).
u cons trans
t y
y
M l l l
M l
=
(7.39)
where
y
is the yield curvature and
y
M is the yield moment for the current axial load level,
u
M is
the base moment, l is the column height,
cons
l is the length of the segment close to the base,
trans
l is
the transition length, and
t
l
is the curvature at the top of the transition length.
5. Evaluate the lateral displacement. The lateral displacement consists of two elastic and
inelastic parts. The inelastic part is evaluated as:
1
. .( ) .( ). .( )
2 2 3
( )
2
trans trans
p t trans cons u t trans cons
cons
u cons
l l
l l l l l l
l
l l
= +
+
(7.40)
and the elastic part is:
2
1
( )
3
e t cons trans
l l l = (7.41)
and the total deflection is:
e p
= + (7.42)
6. Compare the displacement with the desired value and repeat the process from number 2,
until the lateral displacement is achieved with the desired accuracy. Then the corresponding
lateral force is evaluated as:
2
u
cons
M
F
l
l
=
(7.43)
The second method is implemented in USC_RC as one of the options for the plastic
hinge method when analyzing hysteretic cases. For a monotonic loading case under a constant or
proportionally variable axial load, the first method applied is the USC_RC method, while the
second is that proposed by Park and Priestley for a hysteretic or monotonic loading case.
It should be noted that the pull-out action of the bars or, more precisely, the rotation
imposed by the foundation is not explicitly considered in the two aforesaid methods. A third
method addresses this effect explicitly by defining a penetration length, as in the Park and
Priestley method ( 0.022
y
f d [SI] or 0.15
y
f d [English System]). In this case the length denoted
cons
L should be revised and the curvature linearly distributed over the penetration length, starting
from
u
at the column-footing interface to zero at the end of this length.
150
The second method is summarized in the flowchart of Figure 7.19.
Figure 7.19 Flowchart summarizing the second method for plastic hinge
8 USC_RC Application
8.1 INTRODUCTION
The USC Reinforced Concrete (USC_RC) software program was developed to address the
specific analytical needs of the research program described. To the authors knowledge, none of
the commercial or educational software available was suitable for this purpose. The need for the
application became apparent during the two phases of the experimental work and when an
analytical prediction was required of the behavior of the specimen under a cyclic lateral
displacement and variable axial load. Based on test observations and lack of enough
experimental support for the loading patterns studied, it was clear that a proper analytical tool
with a user-friendly interface would remove these analytical limitations for the authors and other
researchers conducting similar research.
The application began as nothing more than a FORTRAN program compiled and used as
a console application. Keeping the basic functionality of the console application, a Windows
interface was introduced, and more functionality was added later for both the interface and
analytical engine.
USC_RC is a user-friendly, Windows-based application that can handle approximately
all the needs for analyzing an RC member. Moment curvature, force-deflection, and axial-force
bending-moment interaction are the main features. The program can handle both monotonic and
hysteretic cases. Most of the models implemented in the program can be customized to fit
specific needs. The interface provides enough functionality to view and change the analytical
parameters, input data, and to revise and customize sections.
The basic features of the application and the required analytical explanations will be
provided in this chapter. The application manual is the basis of the software help file containing
152
the general features of the program and detailed instructions for use. The program can be
installed from the installation CD-ROM or downloaded at:
http://www.usc.edu/dept/civil_eng/structural_lab/asad/usc_rc.htm
8.2 BASIC FEATURES
Figure 8.1 shows the main window of the application. The basic input data for the analysis is
provided in this window. The input fields provide the selections and data as follows:
Unit System
USC_RC can handle the two different unit systems: All analysis can be carried out in either the
SI or English unit system. In SI:
Force is measured in terms of kilo Newtons
Length in meters
Moment in kilo Newton-meters
Stress in kilo Newtons per square meter
Force in kips (1000 pound-force)
Length in inches
Moment in kip-inches
Stress in kips per square inch
When an option is clicked, all the quantities change accordingly in the main window and
subsequent windows.
153
Figure 8.1 The main window interface of USC_RC, the application developed for the
analytical part of the research on bridge piers
Cross-section Geometry
At this time four different options are available for the cross-section geometry:
1. rectangular section
2. hollow rectangular
3. circular
4. hollow circular
For a section, there is an options are the two different directions. This is provided for a
circular section also because a custom distribution of the bars will make the response of the
section different about the two different axes.
X-Axis: This option conducts the analysis considering the X-axis. Note that depending on
the way the height and width are determined in the input data, this axis is not necessarily the
strong axis for a rectangular or hollow rectangular section. The user can visually detect it.
Y-Axis: This option conducts the analysis considering the X-axis. Note that depending on
the way the height and width are determined in the input data, this axis is not necessarily the
weak axis. The user can visually detect it.
154
Concrete Properties
Here the strength of the concrete as measured in the lab or as desired for unconfined concrete is
provided. The proper model for the confined concrete is also selected. For now, the Mander
model is the only model available, but other models will be provided later. For the hysteretic
behavior of concrete in USC_RC, a specific model is designed and used, which can be regarded
as a revised version proposed by Mander et al. for the hysteretic stress-strain response of
concrete.
Steel Properties and Arrangement
The steel properties, namely size, behavior, and the number and arrangement of the
reinforcement for both the longitudinal and transverse steel are provided. The distribution of the
bars for longitudinal reinforcement may be either evenly distributed or have a custom
distribution. For the evenly distributed case and when the section is either circular or
rectangular, the program will put the bars evenly distributed on the section, and for the evenly
distributed case when the section is a hollow circular or hollow rectangular section, there are
two options: (1) determine the number of bars on the outer and inner layers by the program
(Automatic option) and (2) select Custom. For the Automatic option, the program assigns the
proper number of bars to the outer and inner layers based on their respective circumferences. For
the Custom option, the user provides the number of bars on the outer and inner layers.
Obviously, the sum of these two numbers should be equal to the total number of bars; otherwise,
the application will ask the user to correct the input values.
Size of Reinforcement
The size of the reinforcement steel, for both the longitudinal and transverse directions, can be
given either in terms of the size in the system (e.g., 3 for a #3 bar) or in terms of the area of the
cross section of the bars. The user should make sure that proper quantities are used. When the
number of the rebar in the system is provided, changing the system will change the bar number
so that the selected number in the new system corresponds to the number in the old system. If
there is no equivalent number in the new system, the closest number will be selected. (See:
ASTM Soft Metric Reinforcing Bars for details of the standard)
155
Table 8.1 ASTM Standard metric reinforcing bars
Nominal Dimensions
Bar Size SI [English]
Diameter mm [in.] Cross-Sectional mm
2
[in.
2
] Weight kg/m [lb/ft]
#10 [#3] 9.5 [0.375] 71 [0.11] 0.560 [0.376]
#13 [#4] 12.7 [0.500] 129 [0.20] 0.944 [0.668]
#16 [#5] 15.9 [0.625] 199 [0.31] 1.552 [1.043]
#19 [#6] 19.1 [0.750] 284 [0.44] 2.235 [1.502]
#22 [#7] 22.2 [0.875] 387 [0.60] 3.042 [2.044]
#25 [#8] 25.4 [1.000] 510 [0.79] 3.973 [2.670]
#29 [#9] 28.7 [1.128] 645 [1.00] 5.060 [3.400]
#32 [#10] 32.8 [1.270] 819 [1.27] 6.404 [4.303]
#36 [#11] 35.8 [1.410] 1006 [1.56] 7.907 [5.313]
#43 [#14] 43. [1.693] 1452 [2.25] 11.38 [7.65]
#57 [#18] 57.3 [2.257] 2581 [4.00] 20.24 [13.60]
Also, when the number in a system is provided and the user changes the option to area,
the corresponding area is calculated and shown accordingly. Here the user should note that the
calculations for switching from the number to area (and vice versa) is done in a way which is
completely consistent with the ASTM Standards.
Assume that the user enters #19 in the SI: when switching to the English system it
becomes #6, and vice versa. It is important to note that the number gap for the bars in SI
corresponding to the bars in the English system is more than one. This means that in some cases
when the user provides the rebar number in the SI, and then switches to the English system, the
closest English system number will be chosen, and when switching back to SI, the proper SI
number will be shown, which may not be exactly the same as the initial number. For example,
choosing #22 in SI then switching to the English system will get #7, and then when switching
back to SI gets the initial #22. But choosing #24 in SI, then switching to the English system gets
#8, and when switching back to SI gets #25, not 24. If the initial input number had been 23, after
two switches we would get 22. These are all completely consistent with the standard and are
required so that the user is aware of the standard being used. It is also important to note that the
156
area of the cross sections (in either system) is calculated based on the ASTM standards. It means,
e.g., that for a #10 rebar (SI), the radius is not assumed to be 5 mm, but is first converted to the
equivalent size in the English system (as suggested by the standard); then the area is evaluated
and changed to the proper value in the SI. So, the cross-section area for this specific rebar is not
3.14159*(0.01 m/2)
2
=0.00007854 m
2
, but 0.00007126, as seen in the table.
When the user wants to use a specific size for the bar, regardless of the standard, the size
should be entered in terms of the cross-section area. In this case (using this option), changing the
system converts only the cross-section area to its new value in the new system without any
change considering the standard.
For the custom distribution case, a fully functional interface (Figure 8.2) provides the
user with all the functionalities required for the desired custom size and location of the bars on
the section. The user accesses this interface by choosing Custom distribution, different sizes on
the main window. When these are determined by clicking OK, the main window activates
Show custom distribution and size form to give the option of revising the custom arrangement
and size, if needed.
In this window, the bar location and size can be assigned in different ways. All of these
options are properly interrelated and consistent.
1. Clicking on the proper place on the section. Note that the coordinates of the point are
always shown in the two X and Y windows below the section. Right-clicking a bar gives the
options to resize or delete the bar. The size of the bar is always expressed in terms of the proper
value already set according to the selected system or its cross-section area. It should be pointed
out that if the size of a bar is not correct in the selected system, it will be switched to the proper
value. If the entered size is not appropriate for the corresponding location, the user is notified but
the size is not changed.
2. Entering the location and size in the table. Again, if the size or location is not proper, the
program does not accept it; if proper, it shows on the section.
3. Reading data from a file. In this case, the file should be in text format and the data should
be separated by either a comma or space. X, Y, and the size of bar for each bar is on the same
line as the respective bar.
157
Figure 8.2 The fully functional interface makes it possible to customize a section
To change a bar location or size, the corresponding values can be changed in the table or by
dragging the bar to its proper location; the size can be changed by right-clicking the bar. At any
time, the bars can be rearranged evenly on the section.
The custom distribution and sizes can be saved for further use. Also the section can be
saved in BMP format.
8.2.1 Material Models
The models developed and implemented in USC_RC for the monotonic and hysteretic stress-
strain relationship of steel and concrete are as explained in Chapter 1. Here the parameters used
in USC_RC are provided. If necessary, the user based on the needs can change these parameters.
The parameters have been determined based on the results from material tests carried out in the
USC Structural Lab.
For the monotonic stress-strain curve of steel, the input data and parameters are as
follows:
469 [68 ]
y
f MPa ksi = and 200000 [29000 ] E MPa ksi =
1
4. K =
2
25. K =
158
3
40. K =
4
1.3 K =
and for the hysteretic behavior the parameters assigned are:
1
0.3333 P =
2
2.0 P =
The unconfined concrete strength was
'
49.3 [7.15 ]
c
f MPa ksi = for the first two tests and
'
50 [7.3 ]
c
f MPa ksi = for the last four.. The default value is 50.3 MPa [7.3 ksi] as used for the last
four tests. All other specifications for the monotonic and hysteretic curve of confined and
unconfined concrete can be found in Chapter 1.
Main Window Command Buttons
There are 10 command buttons in the main window, and one button to show the Bar Custom
Location and Size. The buttons are active only when the required data are provided. These
buttons are as follows:
saves the input data in a text file.
restores the default values. The default values match the specifications of the
specimens tested in the USC Structural Lab.
loads the interface on which the analysis parameters can be adjusted.
159
Figure 8.3 Analysis parameters can be tuned based on analytical needs
This interface is different at different instances of the process so that only the adjustable
values at the time can be revised. Using this option allows the user to adjust the analysis
parameters as desired. All the required information is provided in a dialog box and, if needed,
additional information is provided by message boxes as a reaction to user input. The dialog box
is shown here. For monotonic analysis in the cases of a constant or proportionally variable axial
load, for both moment-curvature and force-deflection analyses, it is essential to have at least one
of the second or third conditions in the first part for ending the analysis selected. Although the
analysis will be carried out if no condition for ending analysis is selected, if necessary, the user
can manually break the process selecting the break button.
This dialog box can be accessed at any stage when the user is concerned about the
analysis parameters. The window displays properly when showing only the necessary fields.
The control parameters are:
Level of bending moment on the critical section of the member that can be used to decide if
the analysis should be terminated compared to the maximum level achieved during the
analysis.
Level of confined concrete strain. By using this option, termination can be set at the
ultimate strain or a custom strain for confined concrete.
160
Level of steel strain. By selecting this parameter, termination can be determined to be either
at the ultimate strain of steel (rupture of the first bar) or a custom strain.
Number of fibers (divisions) on the cross section of the member. This value is
recommended for the default value, and cannot be more than 500 in a direction.
This button loads the window showing the section, steel, confined concrete and cover
concrete stress-strain relationship based on the data provided by the user.
The following is the window for viewing the selected section and material properties. This
window is activated when View Section and Properties or the corresponding command from the
menu bar is selected.
Here a major part of the input data can be revised where the result is visually available
for further judgment. The items that can be revised depend on the option already selected for a
custom size and location for bars or even distribution of bars with the same size. The section can
be saved in bitmap format. Note that after changing the data as desired, as soon as data are set
and the focus is out of the corresponding data field, the section is redrawn accordingly.
The stress-strain relationship for steel and cover and confined concrete can be saved both
in terms of the actual calculated numbers and also graphically as shown in the window, but to see
the updated curves, the user must push the Refresh Plot button. This button is active only when
an update is required. The selection of the steel behavior is not available in this dialog box, but
can be changed in the main dialog box and to revisit the section and material properties.
Clicking View Hysteretic Behavior of Cover and Confined Concrete and Steel shows the window
in which the user can examine the hysteretic response of material and, if necessary, adjust the
steel hysteretic parameters.
161
Figure 8.4 Window to view the section, material stress-strain curves, and for revising
some of the input data
The two options for viewing the data on the charts are (1) to see the coordinates of the
mouse moving on the chart and (2) to see the data points.
This button loads the window in which the hysteretic response of the material can be
viewed and examined. The hysteretic parameters of steel can be adjusted in this window to
achieve the desired behavior.
162
Figure 8.5 The hysteretic response of material can be examined and saved
The user can experiment with either material to explore its hysteretic response. Clicking
on each area will put the pointer on the origin, and initializes the curves. Hold down the left-
button of the mouse or push SHIFT and move the pointer in either direction of the strain axis to
plot the response curve. By moving the mouse properly the hysteretic response of the material
for any desired path can be examined. The stress and strain are shown numerically in their
respective windows, and the resulting curve can be saved in terms of the produced data, or as a
graphic. Note that when a material fails, you will get zero stress even if you return to its
allowable range of strain, as in the real world. To capture the detailed response move the mouse
slowly; otherwise, the curve will jump from the initial point to the next point and the two points
will be connected by a straight line, which is not the real curve. To see how two materials behave
simultaneously, the user has the options of seeing the behavior of steel and confined concrete or
the steel and cover concrete at the same time. In these cases, the strains are scaled so that the
same scale is used for both materials to provide a proper comparison.
163
The hysteretic parameters of steel can be adjusted here if needed. Right-clicking any
window provides the user with enough tools, such as saving the curve either in a data file or as a
picture, starting over the process or getting help.
This command button is used for the Axial-Force Bending-Moment Interaction Analysis.
The axial-force bending-moment interaction curve can be obtained for any case. The options are
as follows:
1. ACI Axial-Force Bending-Moment Interaction Curve for unconfined concrete. The
concrete is considered not to be confined, as for most design cases based on the code. For
calculation, the concrete strain is kept at the level corresponding to the peak strength (usually
0.002) at one end of the section, while the curvature is changed from zero up to a curvature
where the strain at the other end of the confined core of the section reaches the ultimate strain of
the longitudinal steel. The steel is assumed to have a bilinear stress-strain relationship curve.
2. ACI Axial-Force Bending-Moment Interaction Curve for confined concrete. The same as
above except for the ultimate strength, which will be the strength of the confined concrete based
on the model used and the corresponding strain.
3. When the concrete strain corresponds to the peak strength of confined concrete. This value
is calculated by the program based on the data provided for the unconfined concrete strength,
transverse reinforcement strength and ratio, and also the size and ratio of the longitudinal
reinforcement. The strain at one end of the confined core of the section is kept at this strain,
while the curvature is started from zero up to a curvature where the strain at the other end of the
confined core of the section is equal to the ultimate strain of the longitudinal steel.
4. This option is used when a certain strain is desired for calculation of the axial-force
bending-moment interaction curve. Here, if the input strain is negative, it is treated as the steel
strain, and if positive, it is treated as the concrete strain. For these two cases the curvature is
changed as described in options 2 and 3, depending on the sign of the input strain.
5. Engineering Interaction occurs when the steel strain is limited to the longitudinal steel
yield strain, and the confined concrete strain is limited to the confined concrete strain
corresponding to the ultimate strength of the confined concrete. The curvature is changed from
zero when the strain is the yield strain of steel and is increased up to a curvature when the
confined concrete strain is the strain corresponding to the ultimate strength of confined concrete.
164
Then, the curvature is reversed and decreased to zero where the confined concrete strain is kept
at the above-mentioned strain.
Figure 8.6 Type of interaction analysis is selected through this interface
This command button is used for Force-Deflection Analysis. The window prompts the
user for further selection. Here the analysis can be done for either a constant axial load, or a
nonproportionally or a proportionally variable axial load. All options are similar to the Moment-
Curvature Analysis, with curvature replaced by displacement and moment replaced by force;
namely, both monotonic and hysteretic analysis can be carried out depending on the axial load
condition and selected options. Here the user has the option of different plastic hinge methods.
165
Figure 8.7 Force-deflection analysis can be done for any loading condition, using the
desired plastic hinge method
This command button starts the Moment-Curvature Analysis. For a Monotonic Analysis:
The analysis can be done either for a fixed axial load case, a nonproportionally variable, or a
proportionally variable axial load.
When the axial load is proportionally variable with respect to the bending moment, the
program prompts the user for the proportionality value, the minimum (starting) and maximum
(ending) values for the curvature, or lets the application set these values. Then, it starts the
analysis from the least curvature and goes to the upper value for the curvature, as desired and
provided by the user, and provides the analysis results in terms of a chart and a data file that can
be saved.
166
.
Figure 8.8 Moment-curvature analysis can be done for any loading condition
For a hysteretic analysis, in case of a fixed axial load, the user should provide the level of
the axial load. The path of curvature variation (cyclic or any other random movement) should be
provided in a text file. Here the only data are curvature, and the data items should be separated
by a comma or space.
When a variable axial load case is selected, the axial load can be selected to be either
variable with respect to the curvature or the moment. In this case, the data should be provided by
the user by reading the data from the corresponding file. Note that the data items should be
separated either by comma or space. Also, note that in any case, the application will guide the
user through and in case of error, will guide the user with proper messages. Please see the Axial
Load Cases for more detail on user-provided axial loads, and if it is not within a reasonable
range for a case.
Please note that like all other windows in this application (USC_RC Interfaces), a button
for further steps is activated only when all the conditions are satisfied. When a single condition
fails, the corresponding button is no longer active. Other than these instances the user is provided
with enough prompts to get through the analysis properly.
167
This button provides help for the current window. The USC_RC application provides help
through a variety of ways at any stage, with different analytical methods.
1. Help contents
(a) Contents in the Help menu.
(b) Contents on the Help window.
2. Help on the current window
(a) Help On This Window, in the Help menu of the Main Window.
(b) Help on Help Menu.
(c) F1 on other windows (except the Main Window)
3. Context-sensitive Help
(a) Whats This?
Right-click on any place and choose Whats This? from the popup Help Menu.
Whats This? In the Help Menu.
(b) Using F1 Key
In the Main Window brings up context-sensitive help in a popup box.
In other windows brings up that windows help.
4. Tool Tip Texts
(a) Place the mouse on an object where information is needed. The most convenient
method is the Tool Tip Text. The required information is briefly provided in a
popup box. It is obvious that all other helps are also available, so that the user will
always have access to the required help information.
Help is readily available, especially in the Main Window of the USC_RC Application.
This button is used to exit the application.
Main Window Menu Bar:
The main window menu bar consists of the File, Run, and Help main menus. All the command
buttons are available through the menu bar, including a Tune Analysis Parameters command for
tuning the analysis parameters for the case. Like the command buttons, each command on the
168
menu bar will be active only if the corresponding action can be done (such as having all the
required initial data); otherwise, it is inactive.
8.2.2 Analysis
The analysis, in general, is based on the fiber model. The main analysis types are Moment-
Curvature under a constant, proportionally or non-proportionally variable axial load, and a
monotonic or cyclic curvature or moment; Force-Deflection analysis under a constant,
proportionally or non-proportionally variable axial load, and a monotonic (pushover) or cyclic
(hysteretic) lateral load or displacement; and Axial-Force Bending-Moment analysis for different
conditions.
8.2.2.1 Moment-Curvature Analysis
Moment-Curvature Analysis can be done for three different cases.
Fixed Axial Load
For a fixed level of axial load (zero, positive, or negative), the analysis can be carried out for
either for a monotonic or cyclic curvature case.
Monotonic Analysis
For a monotonic analysis, the starting and ending values for the curvature can either be set by the
user or by the program using the default starting and ending values. The default starting value for
the curvature is zero, and the analysis will continue up to a point where the steel strain or
confined concrete strain exceeds the ultimate allowable strain (default) or the strains determined
by the user when adjusting the analysis parameters, or when the moment falls below a certain
percentage of the maximum moment as determined by the user when adjusting the analysis
parameters. In any case, the analysis can be stopped or interrupted by the user. At the end of
monotonic moment-curvature analysis under a constant axial load, some important points can be
shown on the resulting curve that are internally evaluated by another module, as discussed later,
certifying the validity of the analysis. Also, for any desired strain (either for concrete or steel) the
corresponding curvature, moment, neutral axis position and the strains at the furthermost fibers
and bars (concrete and steel) can be evaluated, and the corresponding point is marked on the
169
resulting moment-curvature curve. Note that the axial load cannot exceed the section capacity at
any instance; namely, a positive axial load is limited to less than A
g
F
c
+A
s
F
u
, and the negative
axial load is limited to less than A
s
F
u
for zero curvature. A
g
is the gross cross section (including
unconfined and confined area, and F
c
is the corresponding strength for each part), A
s
is the net
area of the longitudinal steel, and F
u
is the ultimate strength of the steel. For each curvature the
axial load limit is different, and the program compares the level of axial load provided by the
user and the allowed level. The allowable ultimate axial load in either the positive or negative
direction is evaluated during the analysis and when the input axial load exceeds this level, the
maximum allowable axial load is employed and the point is marked to notify the user about the
condition. The main concept of plane remaining plane is a basic assumption in analysis.
Figure 8.9 Location of the neutral axis on the section and the assumed sign convention
Figure 8.10 Typical section of the specimens tested
170
The algorithm for evaluating the moment for a given axial load and curvature in a direction is as
follows:
1. The section is divided into the required number of fibers in the analysis direction.
2. For a specific curvature, a location for the neutral axis is estimated and the corresponding
axial load is evaluated by integrating the forces of individual fibers on the section.
3. If the evaluated axial load is equal to the axial load within a predetermined margin, the
neutral axis has been found and then the corresponding moment is evaluated and will continue to
the next point, if any. If the evaluated axial load is not equal to the axial load, the process will be
repeated from step 2, and trial and error will continue until the desired level of axial load is
achieved.
Employing a proper method for this process is crucial. The variation of axial load for a
specific curvature with respect to the neutral axis position is not a regular curve as shown in
Figure 8.11, for the section shown in Figure 8.10, especially for high curvatures. That is why
commonly used methods will fail to converge at some points. The routine used in USC_RC is
such that it can roughly handle all the cases and will converge to the answer, if any, or will
converge to the maximum possible value or minimum possible value if the level of the axial load
is more or less than that, respectively. Figure 8.11 shows the huge difference between the
maximum possible axial load for the same section with the same properties under different
curvatures.
171
-500
0
500
1000
1500
2000
-20 -10 0 10 20 30 40
Inch
K
i
p
s
-500
0
500
1000
1500
2000
-20 -10 0 10 20 30 40
Inch
K
i
p
s
-500
0
500
1000
-20 -10 0 10 20 30 40
Inch
K
i
p
s
-200
-100
0
100
200
300
400
-20 -10 0 10 20 30 40
Inch
K
i
p
s
Figure 8.11 Variation of axial load with respect to the neutral axis location on circular
section shown in Figure 8.10, for curvatures 0.0001 (top-left), 0.0005 (top-
right), 0.005 (bottom-left), and 0.009 (bottom-right)
Figure 8.12 Result of a monotonic analysis under a fixed axial load, and the important
points
172
The algorithm to evaluate the moment-curvature results for a specific strain is as follows:
1. For the required strain (concrete when positive or steel when negative), select a position
for the neutral axis, and the line connecting the point with the required strain and the
neutral axis determines the plane for which the axial force should be evaluated.
2. Evaluate the axial load. If it is equal to the desired level for the step (within the
acceptable error margin), the neutral axis is found and the moment will be calculated.
Otherwise, the process should be repeated for another location of the neutral axis, until
the proper location is achieved.
The module used to find the proper location of the neutral axis in USC_RC can converge
to the proper value for all the cases, and when the level of the desired axial load is higher than
the maximum possible or less than the minimum possible level, the program does the analysis for
the highest or lowest possible level, accordingly, and marks the point to notify the user. In all
cases, the data can be saved in a text file, and the actual axial load and the axial load as provided
by the user are compared. Since the two methods are different in terms of finding the neutral axis
location, in the first the curvature is fixed, in the second the strain at a specific point is fixed, and
the curvature varies depending on the neutral axis location; matching the results confirms the
accuracy of analysis. The important points that can be shown after a monotonic analysis include
the first yield of the longitudinal steel where the confined concrete reaches the strain
corresponding to its strength, and where the steel and the confined concrete fail.
173
Figure 8.13 Result of a moment-curvature analysis under a variable axial load. Points
marked by a small triangle where the input axial load has been less than the
minimum allowable axial load.
Hysteretic Analysis
For a hysteretic analysis under a constant axial load, the curvature path should be provided by
the user in a text file. The algorithm is similar to that stated for the monotonic case, with the
difference being that the curvature path can have reversal points and any arbitrary pattern. For
each point (each pair or axial load and curvature) the stress-strain history of each single fiber on
the section is recorded is used in evaluating the response for the next point. The hysteretic stress-
strain model of the material (steel, confined concrete, and cover concrete) plays the major role
here in providing the hysteretic moment-curvature response of the section, but the response
depends on the path of the applied curvature. If a monotonic curvature is applied (growing from
a starting value to its final value), the result is the monotonic response even if the hysteretic
model for the material is employed. The reason is that a monotonic strain in the hysteretic model
is always on the monotonic stress-strain curve. A hysteretic (cyclic) curvature will bring up the
hysteretic properties of the section as modeled in the hysteretic stress-strain response of the
material. It should be added that the level of the axial load is also checked here and if not within
the valid range for the curvature, the closest valid value is used and the user is notified by a mark
on the curve at the corresponding point; the two values are saved when the data are saved in a
text file.
174
Figure 8.14 Moment-curvature under a zero axial load and cyclic lateral displacement
Figure 8.15 Monotonic moment-curvature analysis for a case with the moment to axial
load proportionality of 10. Note the axial force and bending moment values for
the arbitrary point on the chart.
175
Proportionally Variable Axial Load
In this case the axial load varies proportionally with respect to the moment. The ratio or
BendingMoment
AxialLoad
should be provided. During analysis this ratio is a leading parameter, and the
neutral axis is determined so that this ratio is satisfied. The options for this case are similar to
those for a constant axial load. For a proportionality ratio, the analysis can be done either for a
monotonic case or a cyclic (hysteretic) case. For the monotonic case, the starting and ending
values can be set by the user by the program. The analysis parameters can be tuned as for the
case of a constant axial load. After the monotonic analysis, the important points can be
determined by the application, and the moment-curvature specifications for a certain strain can
be evaluated, with the same method as was described for a constant axial load. For the hysteretic
analysis, the user will provide the curvature path in a text file, and the analysis will be done
based on the proportionality ratio already set by the user.
The difference between the cases with a proportionally variable axial load and a constant
axial load is the criteria used to find the neutral axis. In the case of a constant axial load, the axial
load for each trial neutral axis is compared with the desired level of axial load, and the neutral
axis is the point where the difference between the trial value and the desired axial load is less
than a predetermined value. For a proportionally variable axial load, for each trial location for
the neutral axis, the corresponding moment and axial load are evaluated and then the ratio is
compared with the desired ratio. The neutral axis is found when the difference between the trial
ratio and the desired ratio is within a predetermined value.
176
Figure 8.16 Result of the hysteretic analysis of the section, shown in Figure 8.10, under a
proportionally variable axial load, with the ratio of 67%
Even if considering the above-mentioned basic rule, the process employed in USC_RC
has a more sophisticated algorithm, so that converging toward the true location of the neutral
axis is faster and also detects the validity of the user input data. Figure 8.17 to Figure 8.20 show
the variation of axial force and bending moment for four different curvatures of 0.0001, 0.0005,
0.005 and 0.009 (1/in.) with respect to the location of the neutral axis on the section shown in
Figure 8.9 for the section shown in Figure 8.10. These figures show that the curves are not
smooth and regular and that a standard routine may fail in converging to the proper value. As an
example, for a certain level of axial force, analytically there may be two or more answers, or in
some cases for high curvatures, the maximum axial force that can be achieved may be less than
the desired level. The algorithm used in USC_RC is so that, as an example, for the case of a
constant axial load, it will be detected if the level of axial load introduced by the user is not
within the valid range. This fact has already been addressed. The reader is referred to Appendix
II for details of the FORTRAN code for implementing different types of USC_RC analysis.
177
Variation of Axial Force and Bending Moment for a Curvature of
0.0001 w.r.t N.A. Depth
-400
-200
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
-20 -10 0 10 20 30 40
Inch
F
o
r
c
e
a
n
d
M
o
m
e
n
t
Axial Load
Moment
Figure 8.17 Variation of axial force (kips) and bending moment (kip-in.) for a curvature of
0.0001 (1/in.) with respect to the location of neutral axis as shown in Figure 8.9
for the section shown in Figure 8.10
Variation of Axial Force and Bending Moment for a Curvature of 0.0005
w.r.t N.A. Depth
-500
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
-20 -10 0 10 20 30 40
Inch
F
o
r
c
e
a
n
d
M
o
m
e
n
t
Axial Load
Moment
Figure 8.18 Variation of axial force (kips) and bending moment (kip-in.) for a curvature of
0.0005 (1/in.) with respect to the location of neutral axis as shown in Figure 8.9
for the section shown in Figure 8.10
178
Variation of Axial Force and Bending Moment for a Curvature
of 0.005 w.r.t N.A. Depth
-2000
-1500
-1000
-500
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
-20 -10 0 10 20 30 40
Inch
F
o
r
c
e
a
n
d
M
o
m
e
n
t
Axial Load
Moment
Figure 8.19 Variation of axial force (kips) and bending moment (kip-in.) for a curvature of
0.005 (1/in.) with respect to the location of neutral axis as shown in Figure 8.9
for the section shown in Figure 8.10
Variation of Axial Force and Bending Moment for a Curvature of 0.0001 w.r.t N.A
Depth
-400
-200
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
-20 -10 0 10 20 30 40
Inch
F
o
r
c
e
a
n
d
M
o
m
e
n
t
Axial Load
Moment
Figure 8.20 Variation of axial force (kips) and bending moment (kip-in.) for a curvature of
0.009 (1/in.) with respect to the location of neutral axis as shown in Figure 8.9
for the section shown in Figure 8.10
Variable Axial Load
In this case the level of the axial load is different for each curvature or bending moment. The
variation of the axial load may be in terms of the curvature or the moment. In either case, the
179
data should be provided in a text file, with items separated by a comma or space, as described in
the USC_RC help file. Here the axial load should not exceed the allowable maximum value in
the positive or negative directions, as described for the case of a fixed axial load earlier.
The process for the case when axial load varies with respect to the curvature or, in other
words, when for each curvature an axial load is determined, is similar to the process for a
constant axial load and a hysteretic analysis. The difference is that the axial load here is different
for different curvatures, while for a constant axial load, the axial load level does not change;
however, for a single point, the same process is applied.
When the axial load varies with respect to the moment, for each moment there is an axial
load. The process here is to find the proper curvature and the neutral axis location, so two levels
of iteration are involved. For a trial curvature, the proper neutral axis location for which the
desired axial load is achieved is found. Then the corresponding moment is compared to the
desired level of moment and, if necessary, another trial value for the curvature is selected and the
process repeated until the desired moment is achieved. It should be noted that for the case where
the pair of input data is moment and axial load, when the level of the axial load is more than the
maximum, or less than the minimum, possible value for a curvature, or if the moment is more
than the moment that can be tolerated under its axial load, the closest proper values to the input
values are found and used in the process, and the user is notified. The data points are marked at
these locations and the analytical proper values and the values provided by the user are saved in
the file when the analysis results are saved.
180
Figure 8.21 Analysis result for a case with a nonproportionally variable axial load. (Test 6,
see experimental program)
8.2.2.2 Force-Deflection Analysis
Force-deflection analysis is carried out for a cantilever case where one end of the member is
fixed, without any degree of freedom, and the other end is completely free. Since the direction of
the lateral force or displacement is not dynamic, or in other words, the direction of the applied
lateral force or displacement remains in one plane, the free end has three degrees of freedom:
lateral displacement, vertical displacement, and rotation around the axis normal to the force
plane. The cross section of the member is assumed to be uniform throughout the member.
Therefore, in a case of a double-curvature member where the two ends are fixed and the force is
exerted on the midpoint of the member, using half of the total length in the application and
doubling the result gives the desired answer. Figure 8.22 compares these two cases. In this
figure, F is the lateral force, is the lateral displacement, N is the axial load, is the axial
deformation, is the rotation, and L is the effective height of the column. Note that in the
cantilever case (left), the bottom of the column (column-footing interface) is fixed, and no
rotation or translation are allowed. The double-curvature column (right) is fixed at both ends.
181
Figure 8.22 Comparison of a cantilever and double-curvature column case
Force-deflection analysis is similar to moment-curvature analysis in terms of its different
types. It can be done under a fixed, proportionally variable or nonproportionally variable axial
load, and a monotonic or cyclic lateral displacement or force. The nonproportional axial load
may be defined in terms of lateral displacement or force.
Fixed Axial Load
For a fixed axial load case, the analysis is either monotonic or hysteretic. Before any kind of
force-deflection analysis, a plastic hinge method should be selected. The existing plastic hinge
methods in USC_RC are Park and Priestleys, and the authors method proposed in Chapter 2.
The analysis is based on moment-curvature analysis. For each deflection and axial load, the
corresponding lateral force is calculated as was described for different models of plastic hinge.
For a cyclic analysis under a fixed axial load, the history of force and deflection, and the
moment curvature at the proper sections, which in turn is dependent on the stress-strain history
of the fibers on the section, is employed. Since a detail of the process has been explained in
moment-curvature analysis and the plastic hinge methods, it will not be restated here.
182
Figure 8.23 Force-deflection analysis for a case with zero axial load, and monotonic (top)
and cyclic (bottom) lateral displacement
Proportionally Variable Axial Load
In this case, the axial load changes proportionally with respect to the lateral load. Since the axial
load is constant throughout the column for a specific instance, the proportionality is implemented
at the critical section (column-footing interface) in terms of moment. So, for a proportionality of
F
N
, where F is the lateral force and N is the axial load, the moment at the critical section would
be FL for a cantilever column where L is the height of the column, or in other words the
distance between the point of application of the lateral force and critical section. During analysis
183
and based on the plastic hinge method under use, the curvature at the critical section determines
the level of lateral force and axial load. For each curvature, the moment and axial load
corresponding to this curvature are evaluated by the module used for moment-curvature analysis
for a proportionally variable axial load, and then this axial load is used for moment-curvature
analysis of other sections on the column at the instance.
For a cyclic lateral displacement, the history of displacement, lateral force, moment, and
curvature at the proper sections on the column, based on the plastic hinge method, are used for
evaluating the next step. The algorithm is similar to the algorithm used for cyclic analysis under
a constant axial load, and the difference is the moment-curvature analysis algorithm
implemented in each case. The moment-curvature algorithm for a force-deflection analysis under
a constant axial load case is the same algorithm as used for moment-curvature analysis under a
constant axial load, while for a force-deflection analysis under a proportionally variable axial
load, the moment-curvature algorithm in which the axial load is proportionally variable with
respect to moment is employed.
184
Figure 8.24 Force-deflection analysis results for a case with a lateral force to axial load
proportionality ratio of 1, and a monotonic lateral displacement (top), and a
ratio of 9.3 and a cyclic lateral displacement. Note the level of force and axial
load for the arbitrary point on the curves.
Variable Axial Load
The variation of the axial load can be in terms of the lateral displacement or lateral force. When
defined in terms of displacement, the variation for each single lateral displacement an axial load
is defined and the corresponding lateral force should be evaluated. If the variation of the axial
load is defined in terms of lateral force, for each single lateral force an axial load is defined and
the corresponding lateral displacement should be evaluated through analysis.
The process for evaluating the lateral force for a given lateral displacement and axial load
is similar to the case of cyclic analysis under a fixed axial load. The lateral force for each step is
185
evaluated based on the previous history of displacement, force, moment, and curvature at the
critical and other pertinent sections. The distinction between this case and a cyclic analysis for a
fixed axial load is that the first-yield curvature and moment for each step are different from other
steps due to the level of axial load. So, the plastic hinge effect for each step is different from
others, while for a constant axial load, this effect is similar in terms of the level of the axial load,
and the corresponding first-yield moment and curvature.
When the variation of the axial load is defined with respect to the lateral force, for each
step, the corresponding moment at the critical section ( .
u
M F L = , F=Lateral Force, L=Column
Height) is used to find the curvature at this section, using the moment-curvature analysis for the
case of a variable axial load with respect to moment. Then, for this curvature and axial load,
using previous values for displacement, force, curvature, and moment at pertinent locations on
the column, the deflection is evaluated.
Figure 8.25 Force-deflection analysis result for a case with a variable axial load (analytical
result for test 5, see experimental part)
8.2.2.3 Axial-Force Bending-Moment Interaction
The axial-force bending-moment interaction curve is evaluated based on the option selected. The
method used in USC_RC is briefly explained here. For all the cases, the axial load and bending
moment for each curvature are evaluated by adding the corresponding values for individual
confined concrete, cover concrete, and steel fibers. For the bending moment, the force in each
fiber is multiplied by the distance between the fiber and the centroid of the section.
186
Figure 8.26 shows the case for a certain steel strain. The strain at the location of the
furthermost bar on the section is set to the steel strain for which the interaction curve is to be
evaluated.
Figure 8.26 Evaluation of axial-force bending-moment interaction for a specific steel strain
Then the axial load and bending moment is evaluated on a section passing through this
point. In other words, the strain at the point of the furthermost bar on this section, which serves
as the center of rotation, is always kept equal to the strain for which the interaction curve is to be
evaluated. Curvature of this section is changed from zero (horizontal) to a curvature where the
strain at the furthermost fiber of the confined concrete on the opposite side reaches its ultimate
state. So, the curvature range of variation would be:
0.
2
steel u Confined
D C
+
where
steel
is the steel strain,
u Confined
is the ultimate confined concrete strain, D is the section
depth in the direction of analysis, and C is the cover thickness.
When the axial-force bending-moment interaction curve is to be evaluated for a specific
strain of confined concrete, the strain at the furthermost fiber on the section is set to that strain,
as shown in Figure 8.27, and then the axial force and bending moment are calculated on a section
passing through this point as the center of rotation, for different curvatures. The curvature in this
case varies as follows:
0.
2
u steel Confined
D C
187
where
u steel
is the ultimate steel strain, (equal to
3 y
K in USC_RC),
Confined
is the confined
concrete strain for which the interaction curve is to be evaluated, D is the section depth, and C
the cover concrete thickness.
Figure 8.27 Evaluation of axial-force bending-moment interaction curve for a certain
confined concrete strain
For the engineering interaction curve, the confined concrete strain is limited to the
strain corresponding to the ultimate strength of the confined concrete, and the steel strain is
limited to the yield strain. Figure 8.28 shows the variation of curvature for this case. The center
of rotation is first on the furthermost bar on the section and a strain equal to the yield strain of
steel. The curvature of the section is then varied from zero that where the strain on the
furthermost confined concrete fiber on the opposite side reaches a strain corresponding to the
ultimate strength of confined concrete. Then the center of rotation is switched to this point, and
the strain on the fiber is kept at this strain and the section curvature is changed from its existing
value to zero.
188
Figure 8.28 Variation of curvature for evaluating the engineering interaction in USC_RC
The variation of curvature in this case is as follows:
0.
2
y cc
D C
+
= , where
c
is the longitudinal compressive concrete strain and
'
[1 5( 1)]
'
cc
cc co
co
f
f
= + , '
co
f and
co
are the unconfined concrete strength and corresponding
strain, which is generally taken as 0.002, and
sec
c
c
E
r
E E
=
= . '
cc
f , is
310
calculated according to the longitudinal and transverse (confinement) reinforcement as described
in the corresponding reference.
(c) Regarding material properties, the factors affecting the result may be stated as:
E
s
: modulus of elasticity of steel
f
c
: compressive strength of concrete
cc
: ratio of area of longitudinal reinforcement to area of core of section
s
: ratio of the volume of transverse confining steel to the volume of confined
concrete core
Number of Springs
The number of springs used for the model in this report is taken to be 9, but others may be used
as long as the intended simplicity of the model is not violated from the computational standpoint.
The number of springs may be considered different in two pre- and post-minimization stages.
The number of springs is taken to be a large number, which makes the section to be composed of
a ring with radius aR, measured from the center line of the ring as shown in Figure 4 and Figure
5. So the parameters are evaluated independent of the number of springs. The reason is that for
any finite number of springs, there are two distinct directions along which the most distinct
behaviors are observed, shown in Figure 6. For any reasonable number of springs, the evaluated
parameters along these two distinct directions are on the two different sides of the evaluated
parameters when using a large number of springs or, i.e., the ring model. As a numeric example,
for the section shown in Figure 9, and for N=9, the parameters are evaluated as follows:
Direction 1: a=0.912 b=0.495
Direction 2: a=0.868 b=0.319
While the parameters evaluated by the ring model (for N=100) are:
A=0.882 b=0.399
311
Figure 6 Two distinct directions for multispring model (1 and 2) and the average direction
(3)
Therefore, to evaluate the parameters the ring model is used, or a large number for N is
selected. The evaluated parameters work for any number of springs and the number of springs is
thus a matter of precision for the output results. However, N has a very small effect beyond a
certain number. For simplicity and reasonably precise results, we take N=9, as shown by
investigations.
Figure 7 Axial force bending moment interaction curves, at the first tensile yield of steel,
for fiber model (solid curve) and multispring model (dotted curve), using the
evaluated parameters a and b
312
Computation Method
To get the closest result for the moment curvature of the model to that of the fiber model,
considered as a benchmark, for different axial forces, the axial force bending moment interaction
curve of the section, for the multispring and fiber models at the first yield of the tensile steel, the
difference between the axial forces of the two models and also the difference between their
bending moments at the first yield for different curvatures has been minimized. This means that
for a specific axial force, the two models reach the first yield at the same curvature and moment.
The first yield for the fiber model is defined to be the first yield of steel, which in turn is when
the strain of the fiber on the circumference of the confined concrete circle reaches the yield strain
of steel. The first yield of the spring model is also defined to be when the strain at a point with
the same distance from center reaches the yield strain of steel.
Figure 7 shows a portion of the axial force bending moment interaction curve of the
section when the tensile strain is fixed at the yield strain of steel. Details of the section used here
are shown in Figure 9. The fiber model is used to evaluate the interaction curve shown by the
solid curve, while the multispring model is used to evaluate the interaction curve of the section
shown by the dotted curve. Parameters a and b have been determined by the aforesaid
minimization procedure. These parameters are evaluated such that the two curves are as close as
possible to each other. This may be done through minimizing the mean square error of the axial
force and bending moment of the interaction curve of the multispring model compared to the
fiber model as a benchmark, within a range of curvatures. The range of curvatures for this
process is chosen to be from the point where the axial force is zero to the curvature where we
have maximum bending moment for the fiber model. A brief mathematical description of the
problem is as follows:
As shown in Figure 8, the strain may be calculated as: (2 )
y
R x = at each point of
the section. Then, the axial force and bending moment at the first yield for the fiber model may
be computed as follows:
2
2
0
2 ' [(2 ) ]. 2
R
c cc y
P f R x Rx x dx =
(A1.1)
where P
c
is the axial force due to concrete.
0
2 [ (1 ( )) ]. . .
2
s
st st y
A
P f R Cos R d
R
= +
(A1.2)
313
where P
st
is the axial force due to steel.
f
c st
P P P = + (A1.3)
where P
f
is the total axial force for a specific curvature, evaluated for the fiber model.
2
2
0
2 ' [(2 ) ]. 2 .( )
R
c cc y
M f R x Rx x R x dx =
(A1.4)
0
2 [ (1 ( )) ]. . . . ( ).
2
s
st st y
A
M f R Cos R RCos d
R
= +
(A1.5)
M
f
=M
c
+M
st
is the total moment for the curvature evaluated for the fiber model, where M
c
is
the moment due to concrete and M
st
is the moment due to steel, respectively, which are functions
of the specific curvature at which each is evaluated. Now, we evaluate the axial force and
bending moment for the ring model:
2 2
0
2 2
(1 )
2 { [ (1 ( )) ]
2
[ (1 ( )) ] } [ ]
2
ms
cc y
s
st y cc y
b R
P f R aCos
A
f R aCos d f R b R
= +
+ + +
(A1.6)
2 2
0
(1 )
2 ( ){ [ (1 ( )) ]
2
[ (1 ( )) ] }
2
ms
cc y
s
st y
b R
M aRCos f R aCos
A
f R aCos d
= +
+ +
(A1.7)
where P
ms
and M
ms
are the axial force and bending moment of the ring model, respectively, and
are functions of the curvature. The parameters a and b are present here and will be evaluated
during further steps. Now, we define the function:
max
min
2 2
( , ) {[ ( ) ( )] [ ( ) ( )] }
f ms f ms
fun a b P P M M d
= +
(A1.8)
where
min
and
max
are the lower and upper limits of integration, and correspond to the curvature
where we have zero axial force, and where the moment is maximum for the fiber model. Then,
solving the equations:
( , )
0
fun a b
a
, and
( , )
0
fun a b
b
(A1.9)
314
will give the parameters a and b , which minimize the square difference of the axial forces and
bending moments of fiber and ring models, in the range of the aforesaid curvatures. Since the
stress-strain relationship curves of steel and concrete are continuous where defined, fun(a,b), is a
function of the parameters, which can be minimized in terms of the parameters.
Figure 8 Ring model and corresponding strains for a specific curvature
Section:
The sections used here are shown in Figure 9. For the first section,
cc
is 0.031 and
s
is 0.005.
For the given conditions and using Manders model for confined concrete, the compressive
strength of confined concrete, f
cc
, is 5.898 ksi (cover concrete strength is 5.0 ksi) and the
corresponding strain for concrete,
cc
, is 0.0045. For the second section, which is a typical
Caltrans column section,
cc
is 0.023 and
s
is 0.0051. For the given conditions, and using
Manders model for confined concrete, f
cc
, is 4.17446 ksi (cover concrete strength is 3.25
ksi).and
cc
is 0.004587.
Figure 9 Details of the section used in this report: one, diameter=24, cover concrete
thickness= 1.5, number of longitudinal bars=24, size=6, size of transverse
bars=3, location=4 c/c, and for two, the corresponding numbers are: 48, 2, 23,
11, 4, 3.5, respectively
315
Using Model for Engineering Solution
Although the multispring model is provided to simulate the moment-curvature of a RC circular
section, as the first step toward simulating the nonlinear stiffness and strength-degrading
hysteretic response of an RC element, it may be used to provide engineering solutions for the
moment-curvature and axial force bending moment interaction of a circular section. The
following briefly describes the steps for getting the required data.
Axial Force Bending Moment Interaction
Having already determined the parameters a and b by the aforesaid method, or selected
parameters a table providing the initial data, the interaction of the axial force and bending
moment for a certain condition, e.g., a specific strain in concrete, may easily be evaluated. For
example, if the interaction is to be evaluated for a strain of concrete,
cm
, at the surface of the
section:
con st
P P P = + (A1.10)
where N
con
is the axial force due to concrete and N
st
is the axial force due to steel.
And:
P
con
=
1
' [ ]
N
i
con cc i
i
A f
=
, and
1
1
[ ]
N
st st st i
i
P A f
=
=
(A1.11)
Where N is the number of springs:
i
con
A is the area of the i
th
concrete spring
A
st
is the area of the i
th
steel spring
f
st
[
i
]is the steel stress at a strain equal to
i
based on the material model
f
cc[
i]
is the concrete stress at
i
based on the material model
{ }
i cm
R = for the central spring and
2
{ [ ( )] }
1
i cm
i
R aRCos
N
and (A1.13)
1
2
[ ]{ ( )}
1
N
st st st i
i
i
M A f aRCos
N
=
=
(A1.14)
with the same conditions already stated above.
Figure 10 Numerical example
Moment Curvature
To get the moment-curvature curve for a specific axial force, by assuming a bilinear moment-
curvature curve with the same procedure as above, we calculate the interaction curve (sample
points represent the curve) at the first yield of steel, and then for a specific axial force, we can
get the corresponding curvature and moment, and the moment-curvature curve may be plotted.
For a trilinear curve, we can get the interaction curve for another situation, such as the second
yield of the multispring model, and pick up the corresponding curvature and moment for the
axial force, and then plot the moment-curvature curve of the section.
317
Numerical Example
As a numerical example, we used a typical Caltrans column, with the above details. For this
section, the evaluated parameters are: a=0.875,and b=0.3733, and using the one-layer model
with mixed steel and concrete springs. (So the model is composed of 9 springs, of which one is
pure concrete at the center.) For calculation, we may choose any direction, e.g., 1,2, or 3 as
already shown, but for simplicity, we chose direction 1 and evaluated the interaction curve when
the concrete strain was equal to
cc
.The concrete stress-strain relationship curve based on the
Mander model and the section specifications is calculated to be:
1.360796
0.814127281
( )
0.0002372
cc
f
+
=
+
and the concrete and steel spring areas are:
2
1
( )
c
A bR = Area of the central pure concrete spring
2
1
(0.37328 21.75) 207.08
c
A = = ,
2 2
2
(1 )
( 1)
c
b R
A
N
=
/( 1)
ssp s
A A N = Area of the steel spring
34.15255/(9 1) 4.26907
ssp
A = =
Using the aforesaid relations and plugging in the corresponding data, we get the following
results:
For case (1): =0, P=8253.11 kips, M=0
For case (2) =0.000105455, P=6387.46 kips, M=25774.86 kip-inch
For case (3) =0.000153018, P=4018.82 kips, M=49857.08 kip-inch
For the case when the axial force is equal to zero, =0.000464854, P=0 kips, M=
40118.46 kip-inch
For a curvature 1.5 times the curvature where axial force is zero, =0.00069728, P=-
39.63 kips, M=35332.57 kip-inch
The corresponding axial forces and bending moments for the fiber model are as follows:
For case (1): =0, P=8253.11 kips, M=0
For case (2) =0.000105455, P=6505.37 kips, M=23665.62 kip-inch
318
For case (3) =0.000153018, P=3992.58 kips, M=49136.43 kip-inch
For the case when the axial force is equal to zero, =0.000464854, P=0.004 kips,
M=36238.11 kip-inch.
Moment Axial Force Interaction Curves for Caltrans Typical Column at the
first tensile yield of steel for Fiber & MS Models in direction #1
-3000
-2000
-1000
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
0 10000 20000 30000 40000 50000 60000
Mom. (Kip-Ft)
A
x
i
a
l
F
o
r
c
e
(
K
i
p
s
)
Moment Axial Force Interaction Curves for Caltrans Typical Column
at the first tensile yield of steel for Fiber &MSModels in direction #2
.
-3000
-2000
-1000
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
0 10000 20000 30000 40000 50000 60000
Mom.
A
x
i
a
l
F
o
r
c
e
Moment Axial Force Interaction Curves for Caltrans Typical Column at
the first tensile yield of steel for Fiber &MSModels in direction #3.
-3000
-2000
-1000
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
0 10000 20000 30000 40000 50000 60000
Mom(Kip-Ft)
A
x
i
a
l
F
o
r
e
c
e
(
K
i
p
s
)
Figure 11 Comparing the results for axial force bending moment interaction from
multispring model in three different directions with fiber model
For a curvature 1.5 times the curvature where the axial force is zero, =0.00069728, P=-
588.82 kips, M=27936.48 kip-inch. We can see the results are close for the multispring model
and the fiber model. Figure 11 shows the graphs comparing the results in the three different
directions.
319
Model Verification
To verify the multispring model, the moment-curvature curve of the model and the benchmark
fiber model for different axial forces in the two distinct directions and the average direction (see
Figure 6) are compared. The axial forces are the ultimate balanced axial force
*
, half of this force,
and zero. The figures starting on the next page show the moment-curvature curves in three
different directions for the maximum, half of the maximum, and zero axial force. The dotted
curve in each figure represents the multispring models curve, and the solid curve is the moment-
curvature curve of the fiber model. The curves are close for different axial loads and in different
directions. Also, when the interaction curves of the multispring model and the fiber model
solution in different directions are compared, shown in Figure 11, again the curves are close. The
small difference seen between these two curves is because the yield strain is assumed to be at the
same distance with respect to the center for both models, which is necessary for the moment-
curvature curves to match better. The section used here is a typical Caltrans column.
_____________________________________________________________________________
*
The axial force corresponding to the maximum bending moment in the interaction curve for the first yield of steel
320
Comparing Moment-Curvature of the
Caltrans Typical Column, by Fiber Model
and MS Model in direction 1 with axial
force equal to the Maximum
0
10000
20000
30000
40000
50000
60000
0 0.0002 0.0004 0.0006
Curvature
M
o
m
e
n
t
Comparing Moment-Curvature of the
Caltrans Typical Column, by Fiber Model and
MS Model in direction 2 with axial force equal
to the Maximum
0
10000
20000
30000
40000
50000
60000
0 0.0002 0.0004 0.0006
Curvature
M
o
m
e
n
t
Moment-Curvature of the Caltrans Typical
Column, by Fiber Model and MS Model in
direction 3 with axial force equal to the
Maximum
0
10000
20000
30000
40000
50000
60000
0 0.0002 0.0004 0.0006
Curvature
M
o
m
e
n
t
Moment-Curvature of the Caltrans Typical
Column, by Fiber Model and MS Model in
direction 2 with axial force equal to the half
of the Maximum
0
10000
20000
30000
40000
50000
60000
0 0.0002 0.0004 0.0006
Curvature
M
o
m
e
n
t
Moment-Curvature of the Caltrans Typical
Column, by Fiber Model and MS Model in
direction 1 with axial force equal to the half
of the Maximum
0
10000
20000
30000
40000
50000
60000
0 0.0002 0.0004 0.0006
Curvature
M
o
m
e
n
t
Moment-Curvature of the Caltrans Typical
Column, by Fiber Model and MS Model in
direction 3 with axial force equal to the half
of the Maximum
0
10000
20000
30000
40000
50000
60000
0 0.0002 0.0004 0.0006
Curvature
M
o
m
e
n
t
321
Moment-Curvature of the Caltrans Typical
Column, by Fiber Model and MS Model in
direction 2 with axial force equal to zero
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
30000
35000
40000
0 0.0002 0.0004 0.0006
Curvature
M
o
m
e
n
t
Moment-Curvature of the Caltrans Typical
Column, by Fiber Model and MS Model in
direction 3 with axial force equal to zero
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
30000
35000
40000
0 0.0002 0.0004 0.0006
Curvature
M
o
m
e
n
t
Moment-Curvature of the Caltrans Typical
Column, by Fiber Model and MS Model in
direction 3 with axial force equal to zero
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
30000
35000
40000
0 0.0002 0.0004 0.0006
Curvature
M
o
m
e
n
t
Moment Axial Force Interaction Curves
for Caltrans Typical Column at the first
tensile yield of steel for Fiber & MS
Models in direction #1
-3000
-2000
-1000
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
0 20000 40000 60000
Moment (Kip-Ft)
A
x
i
a
l
F
o
r
c
e
(
K
i
p
s
)
Moment Axial Force Interaction Curves for
Caltrans Typical Column at the first tensile
yield of steel for Fiber & MS Models in
direction #3 .
-3000
-2000
-1000
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
0 20000 40000 60000
Moment (Kip-Ft)
A
x
i
a
l
F
o
r
e
c
e
(
K
i
p
s
)
Moment Axial Force Interaction Curves for
Caltrans Typical Column at the first tensile
yield of steel for Fiber & MS Models in
direction #2 .
-3000
-2000
-1000
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
0 20000 40000 60000
Moment
A
x
i
a
l
F
o
r
c
e
PEER REPORTS
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th
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PEER 2002/17 Structural Characterization and Seismic Response Analysis of a Highway
Overcrossing Equipped with Elastomeric Bearings and Fluid Dampers: A Case
Study. Nicos Makris and Jian Zhang. November 2002.
PEER 2002/16 Estimation of Uncertainty in Geotechnical Properties for Performance-Based
Earthquake Engineering. Allen L. Jones, Steven L. Kramer, and Pedro Arduino.
December 2002.
PEER 2002/15 Seismic Behavior of Bridge Columns Subjected to Various Loading Patterns.
Asadollah Esmaeily-Gh. and Yan Xiao. December 2002.
PEER 2002/14 Inelastic Seismic Response of Extended Pile Shaft Supported Bridge Structures. T.C.
Hutchinson, R.W. Boulanger, Y.H. Chai, and I.M. Idriss. December 2002.
PEER 2002/13 Probabilistic Models and Fragility Estimates for Bridge Components and Systems.
Paolo Gardoni, Armen Der Kiureghian, and Khalid M. Mosalam. June 2002.
PEER 2002/12 Effects of Fault Dip and Slip Rake on Near-Source Ground Motions: Why Chi-Chi
Was a Relatively Mild M7.6 Earthquake. Brad T. Aagaard, John F. Hall, and Thomas
H. Heaton. December 2002.
PEER 2002/11 Analytical and Experimental Study of Fiber-Reinforced Strip Isolators. James M. Kelly
and Shakhzod M. Takhirov. September 2002.
PEER 2002/10 Centrifuge Modeling of Settlement and Lateral Spreading with Comparisons to
Numerical Analyses. Sivapalan Gajan and Bruce L. Kutter. January 2003.
PEER 2002/09 Documentation and Analysis of Field Case Histories of Seismic Compression during
the 1994 Northridge, California, Earthquake. Jonathan P. Stewart, Patrick M. Smith,
Daniel H. Whang, and Jonathan D. Bray. October 2002.
PEER 2002/08 Component Testing, Stability Analysis and Characterization of Buckling-Restrained
Unbonded Braces
TM
. Cameron Black, Nicos Makris, and Ian Aiken. September 2002.
PEER 2002/07 Seismic Performance of Pile-Wharf Connections. Charles W. Roeder, Robert Graff,
Jennifer Soderstrom, and Jun Han Yoo. December 2001.
PEER 2002/06 The Use of Benefit-Cost Analysis for Evaluation of Performance-Based Earthquake
Engineering Decisions. Richard O. Zerbe and Anthony Falit-Baiamonte. September
2001.
PEER 2002/05 Guidelines, Specifications, and Seismic Performance Characterization of
Nonstructural Building Components and Equipment. Andr Filiatrault, Constantin
Christopoulos, and Christopher Stearns. September 2001.
PEER 2002/03 Investigation of Sensitivity of Building Loss Estimates to Major Uncertain Variables
for the Van Nuys Testbed. Keith A. Porter, James L. Beck, and Rustem V.
Shaikhutdinov. August 2002.
PEER 2002/02 The Third U.S.-Japan Workshop on Performance-Based Earthquake Engineering
Methodology for Reinforced Concrete Building Structures. July 2002.
PEER 2002/01 Nonstructural Loss Estimation: The UC Berkeley Case Study. Mary C. Comerio and
John C. Stallmeyer. December 2001.
PEER 2001/16 Statistics of SDF-System Estimate of Roof Displacement for Pushover Analysis of
Buildings. Anil K. Chopra, Rakesh K. Goel, and Chatpan Chintanapakdee. December
2001.
PEER 2001/15 Damage to Bridges during the 2001 Nisqually Earthquake. R. Tyler Ranf, Marc O.
Eberhard, and Michael P. Berry. November 2001.
PEER 2001/14 Rocking Response of Equipment Anchored to a Base Foundation. Nicos Makris and
Cameron J. Black. September 2001.
PEER 2001/13 Modeling Soil Liquefaction Hazards for Performance-Based Earthquake Engineering.
Steven L. Kramer and Ahmed-W. Elgamal. February 2001.
PEER 2001/12 Development of Geotechnical Capabilities in OpenSees. Boris Jeremic. September
2001.
PEER 2001/11 Analytical and Experimental Study of Fiber-Reinforced Elastomeric Isolators. James
M. Kelly and Shakhzod M. Takhirov. September 2001.
PEER 2001/10 Amplification Factors for Spectral Acceleration in Active Regions. Jonathan P.
Stewart, Andrew H. Liu, Yoojoong Choi, and Mehmet B. Baturay. December 2001.
PEER 2001/09 Ground Motion Evaluation Procedures for Performance-Based Design. Jonathan P.
Stewart, Shyh-Jeng Chiou, Jonathan D. Bray, Robert W. Graves, Paul G. Somerville,
and Norman A. Abrahamson. September 2001.
PEER 2001/08 Experimental and Computational Evaluation of Reinforced Concrete Bridge Beam-
Column Connections for Seismic Performance. Clay J. Naito, Jack P. Moehle, and
Khalid M. Mosalam. November 2001.
PEER 2001/07 The Rocking Spectrum and the Shortcomings of Design Guidelines. Nicos Makris
and Dimitrios Konstantinidis. August 2001.
PEER 2001/06 Development of an Electrical Substation Equipment Performance Database for
Evaluation of Equipment Fragilities. Thalia Agnanos. April 1999.
PEER 2001/05 Stiffness Analysis of Fiber-Reinforced Elastomeric Isolators. Hsiang-Chuan Tsai and
James M. Kelly. May 2001.
PEER 2001/04 Organizational and Societal Considerations for Performance-Based Earthquake
Engineering. Peter J. May. April 2001.
PEER 2001/03 A Modal Pushover Analysis Procedure to Estimate Seismic Demands for Buildings:
Theory and Preliminary Evaluation. Anil K. Chopra and Rakesh K. Goel. January
2001.
PEER 2001/02 Seismic Response Analysis of Highway Overcrossings Including Soil-Structure
Interaction. Jian Zhang and Nicos Makris. March 2001.
PEER 2001/01 Experimental Study of Large Seismic Steel Beam-to-Column Connections. Egor P.
Popov and Shakhzod M. Takhirov. November 2000.
PEER 2000/10 The Second U.S.-Japan Workshop on Performance-Based Earthquake Engineering
Methodology for Reinforced Concrete Building Structures. March 2000.
PEER 2000/09 Structural Engineering Reconnaissance of the August 17, 1999 Earthquake: Kocaeli
(Izmit), Turkey. Halil Sezen, Kenneth J. Elwood, Andrew S. Whittaker, Khalid
Mosalam, John J. Wallace, and John F. Stanton. December 2000.
PEER 2000/08 Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Bridge Columns Having Varying Aspect Ratios and
Varying Lengths of Confinement. Anthony J. Calderone, Dawn E. Lehman, and Jack
P. Moehle. January 2001.
PEER 2000/07 Cover-Plate and Flange-Plate Reinforced Steel Moment-Resisting Connections.
Taejin Kim, Andrew S. Whittaker, Amir S. Gilani, Vitelmo V. Bertero, and Shakhzod
M. Takhirov. September 2000.
PEER 2000/06 Seismic Evaluation and Analysis of 230-kV Disconnect Switches. Amir S. J. Gilani,
Andrew S. Whittaker, Gregory L. Fenves, Chun-Hao Chen, Henry Ho, and Eric
Fujisaki. July 2000.
PEER 2000/05 Performance-Based Evaluation of Exterior Reinforced Concrete Building Joints for
Seismic Excitation. Chandra Clyde, Chris P. Pantelides, and Lawrence D. Reaveley.
July 2000.
PEER 2000/04 An Evaluation of Seismic Energy Demand: An Attenuation Approach. Chung-Che
Chou and Chia-Ming Uang. July 1999.
PEER 2000/03 Framing Earthquake Retrofitting Decisions: The Case of Hillside Homes in Los
Angeles. Detlof von Winterfeldt, Nels Roselund, and Alicia Kitsuse. March 2000.
PEER 2000/02 U.S.-Japan Workshop on the Effects of Near-Field Earthquake Shaking. Andrew
Whittaker, ed. July 2000.
PEER 2000/01 Further Studies on Seismic Interaction in Interconnected Electrical Substation
Equipment. Armen Der Kiureghian, Kee-Jeung Hong, and Jerome L. Sackman.
November 1999.
PEER 1999/14 Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit of 230-kV Porcelain Transformer Bushings. Amir S.
Gilani, Andrew S. Whittaker, Gregory L. Fenves, and Eric Fujisaki. December 1999.
PEER 1999/13 Building Vulnerability Studies: Modeling and Evaluation of Tilt-up and Steel
Reinforced Concrete Buildings. John W. Wallace, Jonathan P. Stewart, and Andrew
S. Whittaker, editors. December 1999.
PEER 1999/12 Rehabilitation of Nonductile RC Frame Building Using Encasement Plates and
Energy-Dissipating Devices. Mehrdad Sasani, Vitelmo V. Bertero, James C.
Anderson. December 1999.
PEER 1999/11 Performance Evaluation Database for Concrete Bridge Components and Systems
under Simulated Seismic Loads. Yael D. Hose and Frieder Seible. November 1999.
PEER 1999/10 U.S.-Japan Workshop on Performance-Based Earthquake Engineering Methodology
for Reinforced Concrete Building Structures. December 1999.
PEER 1999/09 Performance Improvement of Long Period Building Structures Subjected to Severe
Pulse-Type Ground Motions. James C. Anderson, Vitelmo V. Bertero, and Raul
Bertero. October 1999.
PEER 1999/08 Envelopes for Seismic Response Vectors. Charles Menun and Armen Der
Kiureghian. July 1999.
PEER 1999/07 Documentation of Strengths and Weaknesses of Current Computer Analysis
Methods for Seismic Performance of Reinforced Concrete Members. William F.
Cofer. November 1999.
PEER 1999/06 Rocking Response and Overturning of Anchored Equipment under Seismic
Excitations. Nicos Makris and Jian Zhang. November 1999.
PEER 1999/05 Seismic Evaluation of 550 kV Porcelain Transformer Bushings. Amir S. Gilani,
Andrew S. Whittaker, Gregory L. Fenves, and Eric Fujisaki. October 1999.
PEER 1999/04 Adoption and Enforcement of Earthquake Risk-Reduction Measures. Peter J. May,
Raymond J. Burby, T. Jens Feeley, and Robert Wood.
PEER 1999/03 Task 3 Characterization of Site Response General Site Categories. Adrian
Rodriguez-Marek, Jonathan D. Bray, and Norman Abrahamson. February 1999.
PEER 1999/02 Capacity-Demand-Diagram Methods for Estimating Seismic Deformation of Inelastic
Structures: SDF Systems. Anil K. Chopra and Rakesh Goel. April 1999.
PEER 1999/01 Interaction in Interconnected Electrical Substation Equipment Subjected to
Earthquake Ground Motions. Armen Der Kiureghian, Jerome L. Sackman, and Kee-
Jeung Hong. February 1999.
PEER 1998/08 Behavior and Failure Analysis of a Multiple-Frame Highway Bridge in the 1994
Northridge Earthquake. Gregory L. Fenves and Michael Ellery. December 1998.
PEER 1998/07 Empirical Evaluation of Inertial Soil-Structure Interaction Effects. Jonathan P.
Stewart, Raymond B. Seed, and Gregory L. Fenves. November 1998.
PEER 1998/06 Effect of Damping Mechanisms on the Response of Seismic Isolated Structures.
Nicos Makris and Shih-Po Chang. November 1998.
PEER 1998/05 Rocking Response and Overturning of Equipment under Horizontal Pulse-Type
Motions. Nicos Makris and Yiannis Roussos. October 1998.
PEER 1998/04 Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Invitational Workshop Proceedings, May
1415, 1998: Defining the Links between Planning, Policy Analysis, Economics and
Earthquake Engineering. Mary Comerio and Peter Gordon. September 1998.
PEER 1998/03 Repair/Upgrade Procedures for Welded Beam to Column Connections. James C.
Anderson and Xiaojing Duan. May 1998.
PEER 1998/02 Seismic Evaluation of 196 kV Porcelain Transformer Bushings. Amir S. Gilani, Juan
W. Chavez, Gregory L. Fenves, and Andrew S. Whittaker. May 1998.
PEER 1998/01 Seismic Performance of Well-Confined Concrete Bridge Columns. Dawn E. Lehman
and Jack P. Moehle. December 2000.