Nonlinear analysis can be conducted using a complete simulation of elements or by accurate response curves of the selected material. However, this method is too costly and lengthy by processing technics and tools used today. The plastic hinge, which assigns the nonlinear behavior of elements to a point, is the most conventional method for nonlinear modeling of structures, which has made this process feasible. One of the main challenges in this method is location and length of plastic hinge and the effects of parameters such as element’s placement in the structure, effect of adjacent elements, and force distribution pattern, on the location of plastic hinges.
In this study, the goal is to examine the location of plastic hinge creation in elements of a reinforced concrete structure and to evaluate the effect of changing height and ductility on this issue. Therefore, structural elements for two structures, 5 and 10 story RC structure, with medium and high ductility were modeled using the very conventional and useful program, ETABS. Linear spectral and pushover analysis were conducted to examine the effects of change in load distribution pattern, height, and ductility on the location of plastic hinge creation. Results shows that for beams, positive/negative moment in the boundary conditions is the most effective parameter. Hinge creation pattern in first and last story is different to other stories. Also, it was seen that story number has a greater effect to location of plastic hinge creation, relative to the amount of allowable ductility. For columns, it was seen that almost all the structures had similar response and story number had the most effect on the location of plastic hinge creation