Seismic Assessment of RC Framed Building Using Shear Failure Model

Prediction of nonlinear shear hinge parameters in RC members is difficult because it involves a number of parameters like shear capacity, shear displacement, shear stiffness. As shear failure are brittle in nature, designer must ensure that shear failure can never occur. Designer has to design the sections such that flexural failure (ductile mode of failure) precedes the shear failure. Also design code does not permit shear failure. However, past earthquakes reveal that majority of the reinforced concrete (RC) structures failed due to shear. Therefore accurate modelling of shear failure is almost certain for seismic assessment of RC framed building. The current industry practice is to do nonlinear analysis for flexure only. Modelling shear hinges is necessary to correctly evaluate strength and ductility of the building. When analysis ignores shear failure model it overestimates the base shear and roof displacement capacity of the building. Therefore, Main objective of the present work is to develop nonlinear force-deformation model for reinforced concrete section for shear and demonstrate the importance of modelling shear hinge in seismic assessment of RC framed building.