Evaluation of plastic hinges performance and the elastic stiffness factor of moment-resisting frame structures

Abstract

Nowadays, to analyse and determine the maximum seismic lateral displacement for reinforced concrete (RC) structures, the most applicable procedure used by structural engineers is the nonlinear static (pushover) analysis. The nonlinear static procedure (NSP) is a common approach for analysing the seismic performance of construction structures. By directing this procedure, the weak points in each structural member can be examined, and it also determines whether the members are safe or need to rehabilitate. This process defines the level of performance and shear strength under seismic diffusion to construct each element of the structure. The displacement, the base shear, the plastic hinge model, and the effect of the different plan on seismic response of structures has been reported. When concentrating on the RC structures, it requires the ability to conduct lateral resistant force systems, which one of them is commonly known as moment-resisting frames (MRFs). In this paper, three models of RC structures considered for low-, medium-, and high-rise buildings were examined, and each model has been analysed for three different spans. These models have been analysed applying ETABS software by inputting and examining a wide range of structural parameters. A comprehensive study on the pushover curve, performance curve, among others have been performed. The aim of this study is to consider the effect of plastic hinges in various ranges of performance capacities to evaluate the elastic stiffness factor of structures