Numerical modelling strategy for predicting the response of reinforced concrete walls using Timoshenko theory

Abstract

Different macro models have been proposed in the past decades for simulating the behavior of concrete shear walls because of their significant role in the seismic performance of urban buildings. In this paper, the ability of Timoshenko's beam theory to evaluate the behavior of slender and moderate-aspect-ratio concrete shear walls is evaluated. For this purpose, a nonlinear displacement-based Timoshenko fiber element was first added to OpenSees software. A new constitutive model based on modified compression field theory was used for the stress-strain relationship of the materials. To validate the utilized element and materials, the results of the numerical model were compared with a set of laboratory tests of concrete shear walls subjected to cyclic and seismic loads (shaking-table test). Evaluating the numerical model and the experimental results revealed that the analysis procedure is presented to model the RC walls predicts the overall and local response of the wall with acceptable accuracy and thus can be used as a reliable tool for the analysis of slender and moderate-aspect-ratio concrete shear walls.