Strength Degradation Model for Low‐Rise Reinforced Concrete Walls Derived from Dynamic and Quasi‐Static Tests

Results from a previous experimental program demonstrated that loading rate, strength mechanisms associated with the failure mode, low‐cycle fatigue, and cumulative values of displacement, and dissipated energy strongly affect the degradation properties of reinforced concrete (RC) walls for low‐rise housing. Thus, data obtained from quasi‐static (QS) cyclic tests should not immediately be assumed to represent a conservative lower bound on a specimen's capacity. Aimed at numerically correlating results measured during dynamic and QS‐cyclic testing, this paper proposes a strength degradation model. The model is readily applicable to seismic design or assessment of performance of existing and new structures. A seismic demand model is also proposed for correlating the intensity and duration of a given earthquake‐induced movement to parameters that define the degradation model. Correlations are deemed useful for interpreting the results of QS‐cyclic tests and for calibrating hysteretic and behavioral analytical models obtained from QS testing.