Investigation of Parameters Affecting the Equivalent Yield Curvature of Reinforced Concrete Columns

In this study, the response quantities affecting the equivalent yield curvature, which is important in the deformation-based seismic design and assessment of structural systems, are investigated for reinforced concrete columns with a square cross-section. In this context, the equivalent yield curvatures were determined by conducting moment–curvature analyses on various column models, in which the axial load level, cross-section dimension, longitudinal reinforcement ratio, and concrete compression strength were changed parametrically, and the independent and/or combined effects of the relevant parameters were discussed. Depending on the axial load levels of P/A(g)f(c)′ < 0.3, P/A(g)f(c)′ = 0.3, and P/A(g)f(c)′ > 0.3 for the considered columns, the yielding of reinforcement, yielding of reinforcement and/or concrete crushing, and concrete crushing governed the yield conditions, respectively. It can be noted that the cross-section dimension and axial load level became the primary parameters. Even though the independent effects with regard to particular parameters remained at minimal levels, the combined effects of them with the axial load became important in terms of the equivalent yield curvature.