ABSTRACT
The seismic verification of structures subjected to high intensity ground motions requires on the one hand the definition of a suitable deterioration model of the structure, and on the other hand the definition of a damage function; structural collapse is expected if this function becomes greater than 1 during the seismic event. In this paper a review of the models used in non linear seismic analysis is presented; in particular the classic elastic-perfectly-plastic model is considered as reference-models, and the other models are classified as non-evolutionary and evolutionary, and degrading and non-degrading. Thus, some of the function previously developed are critically analyzed, with particular reference to the maximum ductility, cumulative dissipated energy, their possible combinations and linear cumulative damage theory function. The response spectra in terms of acceleration are given, considering some significant acceleration records, and a comparison between the results relative to the different evolutionary models and definition of the seismic failure is provided. Finally, first results about a new evolutionary-degrading general model are provided.
