Analytical model for predicting nonlinear reversed cyclic behaviour of reinforced concrete structural walls

This paper summarizes the results of an investigation on postpeak modelling and nonlinear performance prediction of reinforced concrete (RC) structural walls. The RC walls are designed for seismic loads using the capacity design method. We begin with a review of the proposed inelastic multilayer flexibility-based finite element with multilayer interfaces. An analytical structural engineering model for simulating the nonlinear hysteretic behaviour is then presented. All essential characteristics of the hysteretic behaviour of the RC walls, including strength degradation, stiffness degradation, pinching and slippage, bond slip effect, inelastic shear deformation mechanisms and confinement effects, are explicitly modelled analytically and experimentally. To establish the validity of the proposed model, the correlation between analysis and experimental results for load–displacement hysteretic responses and dissipation energy capacity are studied for cyclic loading. The analysis is, generally, in good agreement with experimental results and show that the model proposed in this paper can be reliably used for performance predictions of RC structures.