Numerical modelling for earthquake engineering: the case of lightly RC structural walls

Different types of numerical models exist to describe the non‐linear behaviour of reinforced concrete structures. Based on the level of discretization they are often classified as refined or simplified ones. The efficiency of two simplified models using beam elements and damage mechanics in describing the global and local behaviour of lightly reinforced concrete structural walls subjected to seismic loadings is investigated in this paper. The first model uses an implicit and the second an explicit numerical scheme. For each case, the results of the CAMUS 2000 experimental programme are used to validate the approaches. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.