Nonlinear analysis and test validation on seismic performance of a recycled aggregate concrete space frame

Three-dimensional recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) nonlinear finite element models are developed by OpenSees software to investigate the seismic responses of a 1/4-scaled six-story, two-bay and two-span RAC space frame, which has been tested on a shaking table subjected to various earthquake scenarios. The simulated natural frequencies and vibration modal shapes, the acceleration amplification factors, the maximum story displacements and the inter-story drifts are carefully validated by and compared with the test data with overall good agreement. The simulated seismic responses of the RAC frame and the natural aggregate concrete (NAC) frame are also compared. The aseismic capacity of the NAC frame structure is better than that of the RAC frame structure in the early stage, and they behave almost the same in the severe stage under strong earthquake excitations. Both tested and simulated results indicate that not only the peak ground acceleration and duration and frequency of ground motion but also concrete material properties play a prominent role in the overall seismic performances of frame structures. Copyright (c) 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.