FINITE ELEMENT MODELING OF NON-DUCTILE REINFORCED CONCRETE COLUMNS

Abstract

In this paper, the cyclic response of non-ductile reinforced concrete (RC) columns is analytically investigated using a finite element (FE) software. The specimens selected, represent the typical long, medium and short non-ductile RC columns that are mostly found in the buildings of Thailand. These RC columns were tested previously and their experimental results are used here to compare with those of the FE software. Comparisons are made between analytical and experimental results considering the default material constitutive models and behavior mechanisms of FE software to assess its accuracy in predicting the actual response of these specimens. It was found that the FE software can predict the strength, deformation response and failure mode of reinforced concrete columns with good accuracy.