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Residual stiffness assessment of structurally failed reinforced concrete structure by dynamic testing and finite element model updating

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Abstract

When an under-reinforced concrete beam structure has been loaded to the point where reinforcing steel on the tension side has yielded, it is deemed to have structurally failed and the full load capacity and stiffness can no longer be developed. When unloaded from the point of failure, the residual stiffness of the structure is difficult to estimate. There is a need to establish the serviceability of the structure and ultimately establish the levels of further loading that can be sustained before total collapse. In this paper we present a method for assessing residual stiffness of such a “failed” reinforced concrete structure, through the application of dynamic testing and finite element (FE) model updating. In an experimental study, failed zones in a beam structure were simulated in a FE model. Through a procedure of sensitivity-based updating using the measured modal properties, the stiffness distribution along the failed beam structure was identified.

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Abbreviations

D i :

damage index

E :

Young's modulus

f :

vector of frequencies

f :

frequency

H :

frequency response function

I :

second moment of beam cross-section

i :

complex number

MAC :

modal assurance criterion

p :

vector of structural parameters

r :

vector of structural responses

[S]:

sensitivity matrix

Δ:

difference

ϕ:

vector of mode shapes

ω:

circular frequency

a :

analysis

c :

concrete

e :

experiment

f :

frequency

m :

measurement or mid-span

n :

nth iteration

i :

ith response

j :

jth parameter

u :

updated

o :

original

p :

excitation point

q :

measurement point

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Structural Engineering and Mechanics, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 210016, Nanjing, P.R. China

    Pin-Qi Xia (Professor)

  2. School of Civil and Structural Engineering, Nayang Technological University 50, Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore

    James M. W. Brownjohn (Associate Professor (SEM member)

Authors
  1. Pin-Qi Xia
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  2. James M. W. Brownjohn
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Xia, PQ., Brownjohn, J.M.W. Residual stiffness assessment of structurally failed reinforced concrete structure by dynamic testing and finite element model updating. Experimental Mechanics 43, 372–378 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02411341

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02411341

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