DUŠAN I. KOVAČEVIĆ - Assistant, Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad
RADOMIR J. FOLIC - Professor, Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Paper presents author's experiences and recommendations in application of the finite element method for the nonlinear seismic analysis of reinforced concrete frames. In that sense, is analyzed a discretization method - selection of type and distribution of beam finite elements (BFE) and interpolation functions for definition of BFE displacement field. Special attention is paid to the constitutive rules which defines nonlinear behavior of materials, as well as necessity to include the influence of frame joints deterioration and imperfect reinforcement/concrete bond. Also, considered are numerical aspects of application of the direct integration method and procedures for iterative balancing of residual loadings, especially for structures aproximated by a large number of degrees of freedom models. The aim of the research presented in the paper refers to formulation of the algorithm for economically rational nonlinear seismic analysis of large scale reinforced concrete frames, having in mind the small computer systems users as the target group,