EVALUATION OF THE DUCTILITY OF REINFORCED CONCRETE MEMBERS

Abstract

Cyclic loading tests were carried out using cantilever type reinforced concrete beams, in order to obtain a reliable equation to estimate the ductility which is one of the most important properties in earthquake resistant design. The factors adopted were main reinforcement ratio, web reinforcement ratio, a/d, axial compressive stress, compressive strength of concrete, number of repetitions of loading, maximum size of coarse aggregate and so on. The effects of these factors on the ductility were investigated one by one. The results were summarized to a series of equations to estimate the ductility as a term of ductility factor. It was proved that the derived equations can essentially evaluate the effects of the factors on the ductility and can estimate the ductility factor with satisfactory accuracy, even a little modification may be needed on the effect of the maximum size of coarse aggregate and the effect of longitudinal reinforcements arranged along the side faces.