Numerical Modeling of Rectangular Reinforced Concrete Structural Walls

Abstract

A finite-element modeling approach has been used in this study to predict the nonlinear behavior and failure patterns of rectangular reinforced concrete structural walls. Efficiency of the model has been evaluated using experimental results of walls with different shear-span ratios, which failed in different modes. The walls are modeled in a finite-element analysis program. Reinforced concrete sections of the walls are represented by curved shell elements along with embedded bar elements. The plane sections are not enforced to remain plane in this type of model, and the in-plane axial-flexure-shear interaction can be simulated without requiring any empirical adjustment. The model is found to be able to reasonably capture the lateral load versus top displacement response of the specimens and predict most of the experimentally observed failure mechanisms of rectangular walls except bar buckling. The simulated failure patterns include shear, flexure, flexure-shear, and flexure-out-of-plane modes, and the failure to predict bar buckling was expected because of inherent deficiencies of embedded bar elements and limitations of material models available in the program. Moreover, the strain profile and crack pattern captured by the model are found to be in good agreement with experimental observations, indicating that in addition to the overall global response predictions, local behavior of the wall models can also be predicted reasonably well. © 2017 American Society of Civil Engineers

Evolution of out‐of‐plane deformation and subsequent instability in rectangular RC walls under in‐plane cyclic loading: Experimental observation

“…The stages corresponding to evolution and recovery of the out-of-plane displacement (Figure 8 (a1-f1) compared to path C1-a to C1-c of Figure 3) and formation of out-of-plane instability (Figure 8 (a2-f2) compared to path C2-a to C2-c of Figure 3), as well as their relationship with the reinforcement and concrete response, match well with the trend predicted by the numerical model. [15][16][17][18] The following sequence of events observed in the tested specimen can therefore be confirmed, which is also in good agreement with the findings and postulations of the relevant studies available in the literature: a) Development of large tensile strains in the longitudinal reinforcement of the specimen led to generation of significant compressive stresses in these bars during loading reversal and resulted in their yielding in compression. This yielding of the longitudinal bars in compression, when occurred along a sufficient height (effective buckling height) and length of the wall, caused a considerable reduction of stiffness in its out-of-plane direction and resulted in movement of the compression zone in this direction.…”

“…Also, the sequence of events observed in the experiment matches well with the development of out‐of‐plane instability simulated by the numerical modeling approach investigated by the authors (Figure ). The stages corresponding to evolution and recovery of the out‐of‐plane displacement (Figure 8 (a1‐f1) compared to path C1‐a to C1‐c of Figure ) and formation of out‐of‐plane instability (Figure 8 (a2‐f2) compared to path C2‐a to C2‐c of Figure ), as well as their relationship with the reinforcement and concrete response, match well with the trend predicted by the numerical model …”

“…It should be noted that the authors have numerically scrutinized development of out-of-plane deformation and the subsequent instability in rectangular structural walls and tested several specimens for parametric investigation of this failure pattern. [15][16][17][18] The response of one specimen, whose results were found to be best suited to highlight in great details the evolution of out-of-plane deformation and instability, is discussed herein. The findings presented in this study are not in conflict with any of the several other walls the authors have investigated.…”

“…The authors [15][16][17][18] numerically investigated the progression of out-of-plane deformation and subsequent instability observed in several singly and doubly reinforced wall specimens under concentric in-plane cyclic loading. The evolution of this failure pattern was scrutinized by analyzing the stress and strain gradients of the reinforcement and concrete elements along the length, height, and thickness of the numerical model generated for 1 of the specimens.…”

Deformation limits of L‐shaped reinforced concrete shear walls: Experiment and evaluation

“…Such walls consist of two perpendicular wall segments, leading to significant stiffness and strength in both directions, which are contributed to the resistance of action induced by earthquake ground motions. Unlike conventional rectangular shear walls, the seismic behaviors of which have been thoroughly investigated by a significant number of experiments and finite element models, the seismic performances of L‐shaped RC shear walls are rarely available in literature. Zhang et al developed a cumulative damage model verified by the experiments of six L‐shaped shear walls.…”