Finite Element Analysis of RC Walls with Complex Configurations

Abstract

Slender RC walls are used commonly in mid- and high-rise buildings to resist lateral loads arising from earthquakes and wind forces. To accommodate architectural constraints, facilitate construction, and maximize structural efficiency, the majority of these walls have complex configurations, comprising planar and non-planar wall elements that often include regular or irregular patterns of openings. To date most laboratory testing of slender RC walls has employed wall specimens with relatively simple configurations and without openings and coupling action which provides only limited understanding of the impact on performance of the variations in configuration and reinforcement detailing observed in real-world construction. This study here employed nonlinear high resolution numerical model to improve understanding of the behavior of walls with complex configurations and support recommendations for design of these systems. Planar wall data were used to calibrate the continuum-type modeling approach; experimental data characterizing the response of non-planar walls and walls with openings are used to validate the model. A broad parametric study was conducted using the validated model for both non-planar walls and walls with openings. Simulated stress, strain, and damage fields are used to provide improved understanding of wall response and failure mechanisms. Simulation and experimental data support recommendations for design of complex wall systems.