Abstract
Results from a previous experimental program demonstrated that loading rate, strength mechanisms associated with the failure mode, low-cycle fatigue, and cumulative values of displacement, and dissipated energy strongly affect the degradation properties of reinforced concrete (RC) walls for low-rise housing. Thus, data obtained from quasi-static (QS) cyclic tests should not immediately be assumed to represent a conservative lower bound on a specimen's capacity. Aimed at numerically correlating results measured during dynamic and QS-cyclic testing, this paper proposes a strength degradation model. The model is readily applicable to seismic design or assessment of performance of existing and new structures. A seismic demand model is also proposed for correlating the intensity and duration of a given earthquake-induced movement to parameters that define the degradation model. Correlations are deemed useful for interpreting the results of QS-cyclic tests and for calibrating hysteretic and behavioral analytical models obtained from QS testing.
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