Numerical study of dynamic behaviour of RC beams under cyclic loading with different loading rates

Abstract

The dynamic behaviours of reinforced concrete (RC) beams are inevitably affected by loading rates. The effects of loading rate on the dynamic behaviour of RC bending beams under cyclic loading were studied numerically. An analysis of a two-dimensional finite-element model of RC beams, with the rate-independent and rate-dependent Drucker–Prager (DP) concrete models and two rate-dependent steel reinforcement models, was carried out. Cyclic loading was displacement-controlled with imposed loading rates of 0·1, 0·5, 1·0, 5·0 and 10·0 mm/s. Based on the numerical results, the influence of loading rate on the failure mode and the load–displacement curve of RC beams was investigated. Points of study included the effects of loading rate on strength and deformation behaviours including cracking, ultimate, yield, failure strengths and displacements, ductility and dissipated energy capabilities of RC beams. The numerical results of dynamic mechanical and deformation behaviours were compared with the experimental results.