Simulation of Concrete‐Frame Collapse due to Dynamic Loading

Abstract

The extended distinct‐element method (EDEM) is used to construct models of multi‐degrees‐of‐freedom systems for particles of concrete frames and to conduct a series of numerical simulations in which the particles collapsed due to seismic forces. When a concrete frame collapses, it is reduced to a pile of debris. If the debris is rejoined to form the concrete frame, the original shape is restored; i.e., the frame prior to collapse is considered to be an assembled body of concrete debris. The EDEM is a method for analyzing discontinuous bodies, but here we report on an analysis in which concrete debris is considered to contain the elements of a discontinuous body. For convenience, we assumed that the particle shape in the debris is circular and that the parts are connected by springs that satisfy the Mohr‐Coulomb yield conditions. The results of our simulations are in good agreement with records of damage done by past earthquakes.