PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF NORMAL STRENGTH CONCRETE WALLS WITH OPENINGS USING LAYERED FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

Abstract

A nonlinear Layered Finite Element Method (LFEM) is applied to investigate the structural behaviour of reinforced concrete walls with openings. Four half-scale concrete walls with openings, tested recently in the laboratory, are analysed. The test variables are the wall slenderness ratio and the size and location of openings. The walls are axially loaded at an eccentricity of one-sixth of the wall thickness. The ultimate loads, the load–deflection responses and the crack patterns predicted by the LFEM are compared with the experimental results. The comparison shows that the LFEM is effective and accurate.