Prediction of residual behaviour for post-earthquake damaged reinforced concrete column based on damage distribution model

Predicting the residual behaviour of buildings in the damaged state is essential for quantitative performance assessment of post-earthquake damaged structures, which facilitates post-earthquake reconstruction. Quantification of the damage level and distribution in post-earthquake damaged structures is challenging but necessary for predicting their residual behaviour. The objective of this study was to develop a new damage distribution model for accurately predicting the residual behaviour of an earthquake-damaged reinforced concrete (RC) column. The damage relationship along the column height in the plastic hinge zone between the reference concrete and the RC column was established via fitting to experimental data. According to this relationship and the plane section assumption, the damage distribution in the plastic hinge zone was derived analytically. The damage levels of materials at different locations in the plastic hinge zone can be evaluated. The proposed damage distribution model was used to predict the residual behaviour of an earthquake-damaged RC column, and the revised ASCE-41 model was used for comparison. The verification and analyses indicated that the residual behaviour of the damaged RC column can be predicted more accurately with the proposed damage distribution model than with the ASCE-41 model. The proposed model enables accurate prediction for the residual behaviour of damaged RC columns and provide reference for reconstruction decisions.

Automated summary

The study developed a new damage distribution model to accurately predict the residual behavior of earthquake-damaged RC columns by fitting experimental data. The damage distribution in the plastic hinge zone was derived analytically based on the damage relationship and plane section assumption, allowing evaluation of material damage levels at different locations. The proposed model outperformed the ASCE-41 model in predicting the residual behavior of damaged RC columns and can provide guidance for reconstruction decisions.