Experimental Verification of Beam Models For RC

Four beam models were examined in tests of reinforced concrete (RC) columns failing in flexural yielding with ends rotated independent of each other. A one‐component model assuming an elastic member with rigid‐plastic springs at critical sections gave the best prediction, although this model slightly underestimated the nondiagonal terms of the flexibility matrix, which represent the interaction between the two ends of a member. A model connecting many inelastic flexural springs slightly overestimated the nondiagonal terms and the energy dissipation. A composite model and a prescribed flexibility distribution model over‐estimated both the diagonal and nondiagonal terms, resulting in smaller energy dissipation than observed. This tendency was closely related to the crack pattern: the observed crack pattern was between those assumed in the one‐component model and the model connecting many inelastic flexural springs. This conclusion may be extended to RC columns, beams, and multistory structural walls in general as long as they fail in flexural yielding, because their crack patterns are similar to that observed in the writers' tests.