Efficient membrane element for cyclic response of RC panels

This paper presents an efficient membrane finite element for the cyclic inelastic response analysis of RC structures under complex plane stress states including shear. The model strikes a balance between accuracy and numerical efficiency to meet the challenge of shear wall simulations in earthquake engineering practice. The concrete material model at the integration points of the finite element is based on damage plasticity with two damage parameters. All reinforcing bars with the same orientation are represented by an embedded orthotropic steel layer based on uniaxial stress-strain relation, so that the dowel and bond-slip effect of the reinforcing steel are presently neglected in the interest of computational efficiency. The model is validated with significant experimental results of the cyclic response of RC panels with uniform stress states.