PREDICTION OF DAMAGE IN R/C SHEAR PANELS SUBJECTED TO REVERSED CYCLIC LOADING

In this paper, the damage prediction of shear-dominated reinforced concrete (RC) elements subjected to reversed cyclic shear is presented using an existing damage model. The damage model is primarily based on the monotonic energy dissipating capacity of structural elements before and after the application of reversed cyclic loading. Therefore, it could be universally applicable to different types of structural members, includeing shear-dominated RC members. The applicability of the damage model to shear-dominated RC members is assessed using the results from reversed cyclic shear load tests conducted earlier on eleven RC panels. First, the monotonic energy dissipating capacities of the panels before and after the application of reversed cyclic loading are estimated and employed in the damage model. Next, a detailed comparison between the analytically predicted damage and the observed damage from the experimental tests of the panels is performed throughout the loading history. Subsequently, the effects of two important parameters, the orientation and the percentage of reinforcement, on the damage of such shear-dominated panels are studied. The research results demonstrated that the analytically predicted damage is in reasonably good agreement with the observed damage throughout the entire loading history. Furthermore, the orientation and percentage of reinforcement is found to have considerable effect on the extent of damage.