In general, the load control method is used in finite element method for nonlinear structural analysis. Using this method, however, we can not realize the full behavior of reinforced concrete structures which have softening part after the maximum load. In this paper a displacement-controlled computer program was developed for the analysis of reinforced concrete slabs.
Orthotropic model was introduced to the reinforced concrete slabs analyzed, with assuming that the axes of orthotropy coincide with the direction of principal curvature. Concrete was modeled as an orthotropic material at all stages of loading and steel was represented as an uniaxial material with a bilinear stress-strain curve. The moment-curvature relationship of the section in the slab element was derived from the stress-strain curves of steel and concrete. And Using the relationship of moment-curvature, reinforced concrete slabs were analyzed by displacement control method up to softening part.
Through the numerical examples, the results were compared with those of experiments in literatures. On the whole, the presented program accurately predicted the load-displacement behavior of reinforced concrete slabs.
