Simulating maximum and residual displacements of RC structures: I. Accuracy

Estimation of likely global and local response measures plays an important role in seismic performance assessment. The capabilities and limitations of beam-column element modeling strategies in predicting the dynamic nonlinear flexural response of RC models are investigated in this study. For this purpose, 12 shake table tests are numerically reproduced. Correlations of the predicted deformations with the measured ones are evaluated. The results show that maximum displacements can be estimated with sufficient accuracy if the adopted hysteresis model takes into account stiffness degradation. However, accurate estimation of the residual displacements is found to be difficult to achieve. The results suggest that the assumed small-cycle behavior has a strong influence on the estimated residual displacements. Fiber-section models are found to provide relatively more accurate estimates of the residual displacements than modified Takeda hysteretic and bilinear models. A companion paper, Part II: Sensitivity, presents the sensitivity of the simulated displacements to a set of the model parameters and idealizations.