| Summary | Summary The seismic assessment of reinforced concrete structures requires the use of rational analytical models, experimentally checked, which adequately capture the structural behaviour at any level of combined normal and tangential forces. Nevertheless, current assessment models are too conservative and simple to capture the three-dimensional and non-linear structural response at high load levels, or too complex and expensive to be used for the analysis of entire structures in the daily engineering practice. The global objective of the present research project is to develop, experimentally verify and systematically use a powerful, rigorous and practical engineering tool, for the resistant assessment of reinforced concrete 3D frames, under static and seismic actions. The aim is to contribute to the understanding of the structural response under high level of combined normal and shear forces and moments, and to develop rational and efficient methods for design, assessment and retrofit with the aim of obtaining more economic and reliable structures. The present project is the continuation of a previous one, in which an advanced non-linear static sectional analysis model was developed, which captures the coupled response of R/C sections of arbitrary shape, subjected to combined axial force, biaxial bending, shear forces and torsion at any load level. The main activities to develop in the proposed research project are: a) To adapt the sectional analysis model to study specific phenomena of strong cyclic loads on reinforced concrete structures, as material and bond damage under cyclic loads and buckling of longitudinal reinforcements, b) To develop a non-linear dynamic structural analysis model of 3-D frames, c) To verify the model with available experimental results and with those obtained from specifically designed tests d) To apply the model to study specific structures with the purpose of evaluating current simplified design and assessment models, and to propose improvements, if necessary, and e) To use the model to evaluate the efficiency of structural retrofit systems. |
