Quasi-static testing and numerical simulation study on seismic performance of reinforced concrete core wall with embedded steel frame under sequentially bidirectional loading

Abstract

A large scale quasi-static test of reinforced concrete core wall with embedded steel frame (SFRC) under bidirectional loading was conducted to study the spatial failure mechanism systematically. The coupled shear wall and the single limb shear wall were respectively set in two directions of the specimen to reflect the effect of coupling beams. Subsequently, numerical simulation was adopted for parametric analysis. It is found that, in this large scale quasi-static test, the occurrence and propagation of concrete cracks were easily and clearly captured to evaluate the damage degrees. Deformation limits summarized from the Chinese code and US standard were examined by test results, and the upper limit value of “Collapse” in the Chinese code is strict. Compared with the single limb shear wall in the y-direction, coupling beams in the x-direction were damaged firstly to protect walls. The maximum drift angle of the coupled shear wall was less than that of the single limb shear wall by 30% at the yield point. Many spatial damage phenomena were revealed by the sequentially bidirectional cyclic loading, e.g., the effect of loading in the y-direction aggravated the damage degrees of walls in the x-direction. The finite element model of the specimen was validated well by the test results. From simulation results, the effect of the embedded steel frame was demonstrated, and suggestions for the seismic design of SFRC core wall were given. This research can provide a basis for the design and evaluation of hybrid structures.