Mehrabani, Reza VojoudiReza VojoudiMehrabaniSigrist, ViktorViktorSigrist2021-06-112021-06-112014-09-03Journal of Structural Engineering (United States) 141 (8): 04014188 (2015-08-01)http://hdl.handle.net/11420/9733Flexural yielding in plastic hinge regions of reinforced concrete (RC) beams results in a complex strain state and axial elongation of the member. This elongation has a significant effect on the seismic response of the structure. The shear strength and plastic deformation capacity of the hinge region are affected. This paper presents a strain based model to predict the axial elongation of RC hinge regions subjected to reversed cyclic loading, with the help of the tension chord model and the cracked membrane model. Based on these models, the member's flexural and shear deflection components are considered separately. Further, the model predicts the distribution of average axial strains along the axis of RC beams and represents a new tool for evaluating the general behavior of plastic hinges. The proposed method is applied to test results taken from the literature. A comparison of measured elongations to predictions proves the applicability of the model because reasonable accuracy is achieved.en1943-541X20148American Society of Civil Engineers, ASCEConcrete and masonry structuresCracked membrane modelCyclic loadingLongitudinal axial strainPlastic hingesReinforced concrete (RC) beamsTension chord modelHausbau, BauhandwerkJournal Article10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0001159Other