Novel continuum models for coupled shear wall analysis

Abstract

Summary Replacement beam formulations represent a family of 1D continuum models suitable for approximate analyses of the structural arrangements of buildings. In this paper, an energy equivalence approach is applied to coupled shear walls to develop suitable replacement beam models. Assuming properly compatible coupling fields between walls, a novel three-field coupled two-beam approach, therein providing shear and axial deformations, is proposed. The corresponding mathematical formulation provides closed-form solutions for simple loading cases with homogenous properties. Considering slender coupled shear walls, as typically found in tall buildings, the coupled two beams can be reduced to a two-field formulation, i.e., a parallel assembly of an extensible Euler–Bernoulli beam and a rotation-constraining beam. The latter model is solved analytically, and expressions for the tip displacement and base bending moment are presented. A finite element model is then presented and demonstrated to be an efficient tool for static and dynamic analyses. The effects of the axial deformation and degree of coupling on slender coupled shear wall responses are described as being dependent upon two suitable parameters. Various approximate relations are also proposed for design purposes. Finally, the validity of both analytical solutions and the finite element model is confirmed via numerical examples. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.