Seismic energy dissipation under variable amplitude loading for rectangular RC members in flexure.

Summary: The energy dissipation characteristics of reinforced concrete members that exhibit both strength and stiffness deterioration under imposed displacement reversals were investigated. To do this, 24 symmetrically reinforced concrete rectangular specimens were tested under stable variable and random variable amplitude inelastic displacement cycles. Stable variable amplitude tests were employed to determine the low‐cycle fatigue behavior of specimens where the loading sequence was the major variable. A 2‐parameter fatigue model was developed in order to express the variation of the dissipated energy in displacement cycles with the cumulative hysteretic energy. This model was then used to predict the energy dissipation of test specimens subjected to random variable amplitude displacement cycles simulating severe seismic excitations. It has been demonstrated that the remaining energy dissipation capacity for the next displacement cycle was dependent on the relative relationship between the maximal displacement cycle and the energy dissipated along the completed displacement path. The plastic energy dissipation capacity of reinforced concrete members is both displacement path dependent and cumulative hysteretic energy dependent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]