Inelastic buckling load of a locally weakened reinforced concrete column

This paper presents a mathematical model for investigating the buckling of geometrically perfect, materially and kinematically non-linear, locally weakened reinforced concrete columns. The present analytical model is based on the linearized stability theory and is capable of predicting exact buckling loads. Based on a systematic parametric analysis, the effects of the weakness location, its magnitude, the number of weaknesses and the material non-linearity of concrete and reinforcing steel on buckling loads have been investigated. The results are given in terms of graphs showing in detail that the material non-linearity of concrete and reinforcing steel and the local weaknesses have a significant influence on the buckling load.

► The paper presents the buckling of locally weakened RC column. ► The effect of the axial strain is considered using the exact Reissner beam theory. ► The point weakness in concrete is modeled by the massless linear rotational spring. ► The buckling load of the column is determined by the linearized stability theory. ► Material non-linearity and point weaknesses lower the buckling load substantially.