Displacement‐based finite layer element analysis on rotational behavior of reinforced concrete beam segments containing hinges

Rotation capacity of reinforced concrete (RC) beams is a vital property for its relationships with moment redistribution, energy absorbability, and so on. Evaluation of the rotation capacity has been one of the classic and intractable problems in structural engineering over the past decades. The precise prediction about rotational behavior of a RC beam is the primary basis of quantifying its rotation capacity. In this paper a displacement-based finite layer element method considering the factors of flexural cracks, concrete crushing, and pre-and postyield behavior of bond is presented to predict the rotational behavior. In conclusion, it shows good agreement between simulation results, implemented by the proposed method, and the test results in the literature.