Seismic Performance Analysis of RC Frames with ECC Short Columns Based on the IDA Method

Engineered cementitious composite (ECC) is a high-performance composite material with greater shear deformation and shear strength than normal concrete, which has been proposed for use as a shear component in structures. This study modeled three frames, a pure reinforced concrete (RC) frame, an RC frame with concrete short columns and an RC frame with ECC short columns, using the incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) method to evaluate the contribution of ECC to the structural performance. A modified IMK model was applied to model the entire history of the mechanical behaviors of the short columns. The IDA curves, interfloor displacement angle distribution and limit state of the vertex displacement of the frames were analyzed to investigate the seismic responses of the frames. The model analysis results showed that an RC frame with short columns would form a weak layer on the floor where the short columns were located, which greatly weakened the seismic performance of the structure. ECC was certified to be effective in improving the shear formation of the short columns in the frames. The frame with ECC short columns improved the seismic performance of the structure to a certain extent relative to the frame with RC short columns. The deformation capacity of the frame with ECC short columns was close to that of the pure RC frame at the collapse level.