Elastoplastic Dynamic Analysis and Damage Evaluation of Reinforced Concrete Structures Based on Time Histories

Abstract

In this study, the impact of seismic time histories (STHs) on structural damage was examined, focusing on maximum elastoplastic displacement (${\mathsf{\delta }}_{\mathrm{m}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{x}}$) and cumulative hysteretic energy (${\mathrm{E}}_{\mathrm{h}}$). A specialized STH Damage Analysis Program (STHDAP) was developed to create a deformation energy time-history damage model, accounting for the behavior of hysteretic restoring force models under various loading and motion conditions. An elastoplastic motion equation, based on uniform stiffness and load parameters ($\overline{\mathrm{K}}$ − $\overline{\mathrm{P}}$), was formulated to calculate cumulative ${\mathrm{E}}_{\mathrm{h}}$ during elastoplastic time histories in a single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) system. The computational method integrates time series and damage values ($\mathrm{D}\left(\mathrm{t}\right)$), enabling detailed analysis of structural responses, energy dissipation, and damage evaluation using seismic waves from the El Centro, Tri-treasure, and TianjinNS earthquakes. The results revealed that cumulative damage in similar structural members increased progressively with varying amplitudes and patterns, corresponding to the initial stages of ground motion. The STHDAP offers a comprehensive view of structural damage evolution in elastoplastic time histories. The deformation energy damage model facilitates the evaluation of elastoplastic damage in high-strength reinforced concrete structures under ground motion, providing valuable insights for performance-based seismic design and retrofitting strategies in structural engineering.