Seismic Performance of Multi-storey RC Building with Coupled Shear Walls

Abstract

Earthquakes are one of the most dangerous disasters which cause severe threats to life and property. Lack of land availability and rising demands for better housing facilities have made vertical construction to gain significant importance. Nowadays, multi-storey buildings are being constructed even in high earthquake prone regions. Conventionally, buildings are made seismic resistant by constructing shear walls or by installing passive energy dissipating devices like dampers. The use of coupled shear wall (CSW) systems instead of conventional shear walls is an innovative technique that aims at enhancing the performance of buildings which are located even in high seismic zones. In the present study, a multi-storey RC building which is symmetrical in plan and having coupled shear wall system was modelled using ETABS software and it was assumed to be located in a region of high seismic activity. Response spectrum analysis was carried out on the building model and the results were compared with seismic responses of the same building having conventional shear walls instead of coupled shear walls. Therefore, improved performance of buildings having CSW systems and the use of such systems for better seismic resistance was understood.