Inelastic Response of Variable Stiffness Members under Cyclic Loading

Abstract

The research here deals with the dynamic analysis of variable stiffness members that are subjected to dynamic cyclic loadings. The dynamic analysis takes into consideration the restoring force behavior of such members by using appropriate hysteretic restoring force models. Appropriate values for the hysteresis loop shape parameters and identification of the hysteretic restoring force model, have been obtained by extending the methodology for single‐degree‐of‐freedom systems to systems with continuous mass and elasticity, and employing appropriate simplified equivalent systems. Moment curvature characteristics and relationships for various values of the forced frequency ${\omega }_f\text{,}$ as well as dynamic deflections for a large number of cycles, have been determined and examined. Various beam cases and dynamic loadings have been considered, and the results are compared by using equivalent systems, finite difference, and fourth‐order Runge‐Kutta methods.