Abstract
This is an experimental and analytical study about the bi-directional behavior of restoring force responding to relative displacement between the top and the bottom of a reinforced concrete column which is under constant axial force. A unique loading apparatus was developed for this experiment and it was described in detail in the previous paper (Part I, No.286). Twelve specimens were tested and valuable data were obtained. With respect to hysteretic energy absorption and restoring force, a column was compared with an ideal mechanical model under the same deflection history. The ideal mechanical model was designed using the analogy to the theory of elasticity and plasticity. From (hysteretic energy absorption ratio)-(accumulated plastic deformation) curve and (restoring force ratio)-(accumulated plastic deformation) envelope, the aseismic performance of the column was estimated. A bi-directional restoring force model was formulated using the concept of plastic potential and Ziegler's hardening rule. The test results could be explained by the model quite well.
