| Abstract: | The paper describes the development of a mathematical model to predict the flexural response of reinforced concrete beams to severe cyclic loading. The model is constructed with the aid of System Identification, which permits the coefficients in it to be so tuned as to replicate with the maximum possible accuracy the results of physical experiments. The uniaxial constitutive behaviour of the concrete and steel are considered separately, and they are then combined through a bond-slip relationship to form a global model for the composite material. The cyclic stress-strain law for the steel proves to be critical to the overall accuracy, and a suitable formulation is developed for it. Comparisons between observed and predicted behaviour are presented, both for the steel alone and for the composite material. |
