Interdisciplinary Journal of Civil Engineering

Interdisciplinary Journal of Civil Engineering

Hybrid Micro-Macro Modeling Approach for Segmental Self-Centering Rocking Structures

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Faculty of Civil, Water and Environmental Engineering, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
10.48308/ijce.2026.247385.1033
Abstract
Segmental self-centering (SC) structures are proper alternatives for conventional structures as they can be constructed using precast techniques. Several numerical modeling approaches are proposed to simulate the nonlinear behavior of SC structures but their advantages over each other are not clarified yet. In this paper, two numerical modeling approaches are adopted and compared to each other; Distributed Springs and Fiber-based model. The Distributed Springs is a macro modeling approach, which uses a number of springs along the gap opening to simulate the rocking motions. On the contrary, the Fiber-based model uses a fiber-discretized section at the contact interface. Combining these methods, a new hybrid micro-macro method is proposed for segmental SC structures, which uses the Fiber-based technique at lower gap openings with higher damage probability and the Distributed Springs at higher contact interfaces. It is concluded that both approaches are capable of simulating the rocking motion of SC structures. The Fiber-based model has a higher computational cost than the Distributed Springs model, however, it is a better option when the SC structure is expected to undergo high extents of nonlinearity in the vicinity of rocking joints.
Keywords

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