Stochastic Nonlinear Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Frames. II: Numerical Simulation

Experimental investigations on the stochastic nonlinear behavior of eight half-scale reinforced concrete (RC) frames with the same conditions in the companion paper indicates that the coupling effect between randomness and nonlinearity of concrete will cause a remarkable fluctuation in structural nonlinear responses. In the current paper, a validation program is presented through numerical simulation. Deterministic nonlinear analysis of test specimens is performed on the basis of a force-based beam-column element model. Probability density evolution method (PDEM) is introduced to analyze the stochastic response analysis of structures. Probability density functions of the stochastic structural responses of the specimens are provided at both the load-displacement level and internal-force level. Comparative studies between numerical and experimental results reveal that the numerical method in conjunction with PDEM can not only qualify the fundamental trend of stochastic nonlinear responses of structures but also generate the probabilistic details in structural damage evolution. (C) 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.