For material nonlinear problem,elements derived with the flexibility-based method are more accurate than classical elements derived with the stiffness-based method. A review of the current state of the art of the flexibility-based finite element method is provided to enhance the robustness of structure analysis. The research on beam-column elements is the mainstream in the research on flexibility-based finite element method at present. The original development of flexibility-based finite element method is reviewed, and the further development of this method is then presented in several specific aspects, such as geometrically nonlinear analysis and dynamic analysis. The further research needed to be carried out in the future is finally discussed.
For the evaluation of structures with known ductility demands,the constant-ductility displacement ratio spectra(CDDRS) are particularly useful for providing inelastic displacement ratios to estimate maximum lateral inelastic displacement demands from maximum elastic displacement demands.The CDDRS are computed for single-degree-of-freedom systems(SDOF) by considering or ignoring P-Δ effect for different ductility levels when subjected to 344 earthquake ground motions recorded in four site classes.The modified expressions of CDDRS for P-Δ effect are proposed.It is concluded that the P-Δ effect on CDDRS is significant,and the effect increases with the increase of ductility level.In the long-period region,the CDDRS ignoring P-Δ effect almost conforms to the equal-displacement rule.But in the case of higher ductility level,the CDDRS considering P-Δ effect are much higher than 1.0,which do not conform to the equal-displacement rule.
Plan asymmetry leads to lateral-rotational coupled effects on structural response characteristics.This investigation deals with a simplified method for performance estimation of structures with asymmetric plan.By taking the eccentric characteristics of structures into account,an equivalent triple-degree of freedom (ETDOF) system,which is constructed by eccentric mass,rigid links and springs,is proposed.The modal pushover analysis (MPA) method for asymmetric plan structures is proposed.The target displacement is determined by constant strength spectrum.The applicability of proposed method is discussed.A generic mass eccentric 4-story steel frame is analyzed by the proposed MPA procedure and nonlinear time history analysis (NTHA).The results show that the maximum deformation obtained from MPA has a good agreement with the NTHA results.The proposed MPA procedure is reliable and effective for evaluating the performance of asymmetric plan structures.
