5.5.

3 PERFORM F-D Relationship

Most of the inelastic components in PERFORM-3D have the same
form for the F-D relationship. This is a trilinear relationship with
optional strength loss, as shown in Figure 5.4.
ACTION
DEFORMATION
Y
UL
RX
X
Initial
stiffness
Zero
slope
Hardening
stiffness
No strength
loss
Strength
loss
Optional full
strength loss
Maximum
deformation

Figure 5.4 PERFORM Action-Deformation Relationship

The key points in the relationship are as follows.
(1) Y Point. This is the first yield point, where significant nonlinear
behavior begins.
(2) U Point. This is the ultimate strength point, where the maximum
strength is reached.
(3) L Point. This is the ductile limit point, where significant strength
loss begins.
(4) R Point. This is the residual strength point, where the minimum
residual strength is reached.
(5) X Point. This is usually at a deformation that is so large that there
is no point in continuing the analysis. You can continue an analysis
beyond this point if you wish, but usually you will stop the
Chapter 5. Component Properties
PERFORM-3D User Guide 5-17
analysis if any component is deformed beyond its X point. For
some components you can specify that the strength reduces to zero
at the X point. In this case the analysis does not stop.
For most components the relationships can be different for positive and
negative deformations (i.e., the component can be unsymmetrical).

5.5.4 E-P-P and Bilinear Relationships

For many components an elastic-perfectly plastic (e-p-p) relationship,
rather than a trilinear relationship may be adequate. In this case the Y
and U points are the same.
To get a bilinear relationship with no strength loss, specify a large
value for the deformation at the U point. To get a bilinear relationship
with strength loss, specify a U point deformation that is slightly smaller
than the L point deformation.

5.5.5 Additional Parallel Stiffness

Some components may continue to strain harden without reaching an

ultimate load. PERFORM-3D allows this for some components, by
allowing you to specify an additional parallel stiffness as shown in

Figure 5.5.
ACTION
DEFORMATION

Without
strength loss
With
strength loss
Basic relationship
Relationship with
added stiffness
Added parallel
stiffness

Figure 5.5 Additional Parallel Stiffness

Chapter 5. Component Properties
5-18 PERFORM-3D User Guide
Note that the parallel stiffness is added to all segments of the F-D
relationship, including the initial elastic stiffness. You may have to
adjust the initial elastic stiffness and the component actions to allow for
this.

5.6 Strength Loss

5.6.1 General

In a structural component, "brittle" strength loss can be caused by a

number of effects, including tensile fracture, concrete crushing,
concrete shear failure, and buckling. When a component loses strength,
the lost strength is redistributed to adjacent components (if this is
possible), and the resulting behavior can be complex. The behavior can
also be sensitive to small changes in the loads and/or the component
properties.
In PERFORM, strength loss is optional, As a general rule, you should
specify it only if it is essential.
Usually it is not permissible to deform an inelastic component beyond
the L point (i.e., the deformation capacity is usually smaller than the L
point deformation). For example, the FEMA 356 criteria generally
allow deformation beyond the L point only for certain secondary
members at the collapse prevention performance level. Hence, what
happens after the L point is reached may be academic, and there may
be no point in doing the calculations. For an exception to this rule, see
Section 5.8.
Figure 5.6 shows the action-deformation relationships for FEMA 356
(Q- relationship) and PERFORM (F-D relationship).
Chapter 5. Component Properties
PERFORM-3D User Guide 5-19
Figure 5.6 Strength Loss
In the FEMA 356 relationship there is sudden strength loss at Point C,
and total strength loss at Point E. In the PERFORM relationship,
strength loss begins at Point L and can be sudden or gradual. It is likely
that strength loss in an actual structure will be gradual, and hence
sudden strength loss is not realistic. As a general rule you should avoid
specifying sudden strength loss. See the Section 5.7 for some problems
that can occur when there is sudden or rapid strength loss.
In the FEMA 356 relationship there is total strength loss at Point E. In
the PERFORM relationship total strength loss at Point X is optional, as
explained in the next section.