Software for biaxial cyclic analysis of reinforced concrete columns

Realistic assessment of the performance of reinforced concrete structural members like columns is needed for designing new structures or maintenance of the existing structural members. This assessment requires analytical capability of employing proper material models and cyclic rules and considering various load and displacement patterns. A computer application was developed to analyze the non-linear, cyclic flexural performance of reinforced concrete structural members under various types of loading paths including non-sequential variations in axial load and bi-axial cyclic load or displacement. Different monotonic material models as well as hysteresis rules, were implemented in a fiber-based moment-curvature and in turn force-deflection analysis, using proper assumptions on curvature distribution along the member, as in plastic-hinge models. Performance of the program was verified against analytical results by others, and accuracy of the analytical process and the implemented models were evaluated in comparison to the experimental results. The computer application can be used to predict the response of a member with an arbitrary cross section and various type of lateral and longitudinal reinforcement under different combinations of loading patterns in axial and bi-axial directions. On the other hand, the application can be used to examine analytical models and methods using proper experimental data.