Numerical models of RC elements and their impacts on seismic performance assessment

This paper aims to provide a guideline for numerical modeling of reinforced concrete (RC) frame elements for seismic performance assessment. Five representative numerical models are evaluated against 320 experimental results from the PEER column database to quantify accuracy in initial stiffness, peak strength, and energy dissipation capacity. A parametric dynamic study on a cantilever RC column examines the consequence of model choice on maximum inelastic responses. Results show model accuracy is sensitive to the shear force demand-capacity ratio. For short-period, shear-critical systems, models that explicitly capture shear deformation and failure are recommended; for long-period systems, model choice has limited influence on global response. Statistical parameters of each model are presented for use in probabilistic assessments.