Numerical analysis of out-of-plane deformation of shear wall

Abstract

An important factor in slender reinforced concrete shear wall design is the out-of-plane instability, identified as one of the main failure modes. Previous experimental researches had observed this failure in T-shape slender walls as well as rectangular walls. This paper describes the development of out-of-plane instability of slender shear walls with different end configuration which subjected to in-plane quasi-static lateral loading. Experimental results of a T-shape thin wall specimen which failed in out-of-plane mode were used for verification of the modelling, using finite element nonlinear static analysis. The numerical analysis results were in good agreement with the experimental results and the overall global response of shear wall can be predicted using finite element analysis. Series of models were developed to scrutinize the major sources governing the out-of-plane instability. Based on the investigation, shear to span ratio, axial load ratio, wall thickness, and different end configurations of the boundary element are identified as the main parameters governing the wall instability.