The effect of longitudinal reinforcement ratio on the lateral buckling behavior of R/C walls modelled using prism elements

Abstract

Studies on buildings subjected to earthquake action have shown that failure due to lateral buckling can cause structures to collapse. Therefore, transverse instability, its characteristics, and the mechanical factors that affect it need to be investigated to ensure the safety of structures. In the current experimental and analytical study, 22 tests were conducted using 11 column specimens constructed at a scale of 1:3 to simulate the boundary edges of structural walls. These specimens had varying ratios of longitudinal reinforcements (from 1.79% to 10.72%). The degree of tensile strain applied before compressive loading was 30‰ for all specimens. The present study examines the influence of the percentage of longitudinal reinforcement on the ultimate compressive capacity, deformation (axial and transverse), failure modes, and out-of-plane behavior of reinforced concrete seismic walls under earthquake loading conditions. It has been found that increasing the reinforcement ratio is not sufficient, by itself, to inhibit transverse instability, although it does affect its characteristics. It has also been discovered that rebar arrangement affects lateral buckling characteristics.