COMPDYN 2013 4 th ECCOMAS Thematic Conference on Computational Methods in Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering M. Papadrakakis, V. Papadopoulos, V. Plevris (eds.) Kos Island, Greece, 12–14 June 2013 CYCLIC BEHAVIOR MODELING OF RECTANGULAR RC BRIDGE PIERS USING OPENSEES N. Attarchian 1 , A. Kalantari 1 , and A.S. Moghaddam 1 1 International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology No. 21, Arghavan St., North Dibajee, Farmanieh 3913/19395 Tehran Islamic Republic of Iran {n.attarchian, a.kalantari, moghadam}@iiees.ac.ir Keywords: Cyclic Behavior, Concrete, Bridge Pier, Fiber Modeling, OpenSees. Abstract. Considering various constraints in experimental program tests such as, limitations in budget, time and lab facilities, applying numerical studies in performance evaluation of structures is inevitable. While, conducting numerical analysis without adequate proficiency in modeling and analysis in nonlinear behavior range, could be deceptive. Therefore, in this pa- per, finite element modeling of reinforced concrete bridge piers has been established in OpenSees and, the experimental results of a couple of cyclic tests has been reproduced and compared. Fiber Modeling methodology has been elaborated and applied in this research and, the paper focuses on numerical assumptions regarding to modeling, analysis and, con- vergence of numerical computations. In addition the sensitivity of the local and global results to the modeling and analysis assumptions has been discussed. The numerical results obtained in OpenSees have been compared with the experimental and numerical results of previous studies in SeismoStruct program. It can be concluded that via available measures and as- sumptions, fiber section method has a fair capability of simulating the cyclic behavior of high and medium height piers. . 2286