Simulation Analysis For Collapse Of Reinforced Concrete Frame Structures Under Earthquake Based On The Discrete Element Method

A new 2D numerical model for collapse analysis of reinforced concrete frame structures(RC frame) is developed by discretizing a structure into column elements, beam elements, constructing composite springs on the interfaces between elements to represent the tensile, compressive, bending, shearing behavior of elements, and defining the linear-elastic relationship between force and displacement. The synchrony dynamic relaxation method, which shows a strong ability in handling collision problems, is put forward to calculate the DEM modal. Using an appropriate collision detection method, the computing efficiency and speed can be significantly improved. Two different calculation methods for crashing are both used to calculate different colliding problems, so that frame structure collapse phenomenon can be vividly displayed in SCFS (simulation program for collapse of frame structure). In the process of designing SCFS, the method of using chained lists to restore data of the linking between elements, which makes most use of the convenient characters of chained lists for reducing joint data in accord with deleting destructive springs, so that the phenomenon of destructive springs withdrawing from work can be effectively and vividly displayed in SCFS. SCFS consists of three parts, model building, calculating and animating, which is a valid program for collapse analysis of RC frame. In the end of the article, SCFS takes two examples to analysis, and the whole process of collapse of RC frames is animated. The results of the animation show that SCFS can effectively analysis collapse of RC frames. SCFS developed here can be used as an assistant in designing new building structures and assessment of existing building structures.