How Reliable Are Global Computer Models? Correlation with Large-Scale Tests

The pseudodynamic tests recently performed at the European Laboratory for Structural Assessment provide an unprecedented wealth of experimental results against which computer models can be assessed. The paper focuses on the simplest nonlinear models for R/C structures. These are the most widely used, therefore calibration guidelines are badly needed. Moreover, since their use does not require particular mastery of numerical techniques, they may be used by professional engineers as an alternative to the linear models that have almost exclusively adopted so far. In this paper the experimental results for a number of R/C structures (a full-scale four-story building, the same building with masonry infills, and four large-scale four-span regular and irregular bridges) are compared with the results that can be obtained by means of nonlinear analyses with simple global models. They proved to be simple and reliable. Some derived calibration guidelines for these models are presented, which may be used as a source of reference for studying similar ductile structures.