Simplified Gravity Load Collapse Dynamic Analysis of Old-Type Reinforced Concrete Frames

The results of shaking table tests from previous studies on a one-story, two-bay reinforced concrete frame—exhibiting both shear and axial failures—were compared with nonlinear dynamic analyses using simplified models intended to evaluate the collapse potential of older reinforced concrete structures. To replicate the nonlinear behavior of columns, whether shear-critical or primarily flexure-dominant, a one-component beam model was applied. This model features a linear elastic element connected in series to a rigid-plastic, linearly hardening spring at each end, representing a concentrated plasticity component. To account for strength degradation through path-dependent plasticity, a negative slope model as degradation was implemented, linking points at both shear and axial failure. The shear failure points were determined through pushover analysis of shear-critical columns using the Phaethon software. Although the simplified model provided a reasonable approximation of the overall frame response and lateral strength degradation especially in terms of drift, its reduced computational demands led to some discrepancies between the calculated and measured shear forces and drifts during certain segments of the time-history response.