en Research Paper Research Paper A parametric study is performed to assess the influence of the tension reinforcement index, ( ω = ρ fy /f Bc), and the bending moment distribution (loading type) on the ultimate deformation characteristics of reinforced concrete (RC) beams. The analytical results for 15 simply supported beams with different amounts of tension reinforcement ratio under three different loading conditions are presented and compared with the predictions of the various formulations and the experimental data, where available. The plastic hinge rotation capacity increases as the loading is changed from the concentrated load at the middle to the third-point loading, and it is a maximum for the case of the uniformly distributed load. The effect of the loading type on the plastic rotation capacity of the heavily reinforced beams is not as significant as that for the lightly reinforced beams. Based on the analytical results obtained using the nonlinear finite element method, new simple equations as a function of the tension reinforcement index, ω, and the loading type are proposed. The analytical results indicate that the proposed equations can be used for analysis of ultimate capacity and the associated deformations of RC beams with sufficient accuracy. Nonlinear Analysis, Finite Element, Plastic Hinge, Reinforced Concrete, Rotation Capacity 30 47 http://ijce.iust.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-451-6&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Ali Kheyroddin 180031947532846005944 180031947532846005944 Yes Hosein Naderpour 180031947532846005945 180031947532846005945 No