Nonlinear finite element analysis of reinforced concrete frame under different lateral loading patterns

The behaviors of reinforced concrete frame under different lateral loading patterns are investigated by using nonlinear finite element method in this paper. A constitutive model of reinforced concrete based on continuum damage mechanics is proposed. The Non-local Damage Model is employed as the constitutive equation specialized to continuum damage, and to prevent spurious strain and damage localization. The Smeared Crack Model is adopted to offer automatic generation of cracks and complete generality in crack orientation, without the need of redefining the finite element topology. Traditional bond-link element is modified to save the time in calculation by condensing out the degrees of freedom associated with the reinforcing steel. The reinforced concrete frame was modeled, calculated, presented using the program Virtual Digital Laboratory v1.0 (VDL v1.0) that is developed by the authors. From the numerical calculation results, the pushover method is used, and the results of analysis well accorded with the conclusion of correlative literature.