Civil PG Conference, MIT, Pune. April 24th -25th 2015, Paper no.

Different approaches in modeling of RC

shear wall: A review
A. L. Mulla1, Satish Rathod2, Y. R. Suryawanshi3
Dept. of Civil Engineering, JSPMS Imperial College of Engineering and research, Wagholi, Pune.

Abstract RC shear walls are used in new structures as well as in the rehabilitation of existing structures.
Shear walls (SWs) are vital to limit deformation demands under earthquake excitations. So correct modeling of
shear walls is most important issue in linear and nonlinear analyses of building for Predicting the behavior of RC
shear walls under lateral loads such as winds and earthquake. This paper presents various modeling techniques
that have been used by researchers in modeling of RC shear walls. These range from macro-models, micromodels such as finite element models and fibre models. For the purpose of finite elements modelling, different
techniques utilizing either shell elements or combination of frame elements with mid pier frame can be used. The
paper discusses the efficiency of each modelling approach in representing both the global and local behavior of
RC shear walls. . The aim of this study is to investigate the suitability, simplicity, accuracy; effectiveness of
different
structural models
Index TermsShear wall, Macro modelling, Micro modelling, Frame element, Shell element.

I. INTRODUCTION
Shear walls are part of the lateral force resisting system that carry vertical loads, bending moments
about the wall strong axis, and shear forces parallel to the wall length. Shear wall system is one of the
most common and effective lateral load resisting systems that is widely used in medium- to high-rise
buildings. It can provide the adequate strength and stiffness needed for the building to resist wind and
earthquake loadings, provided that a proper design is considered, that cares for both the wall strength
and ductility. During the recent years, an enormous effort has been done to provide analytical models
that are able to simulate the actual behaviour of RC elements including shear walls. The rapid
increase in the computational efficiency of computers helped the researchers to develop more
sophisticated models that can account for several phenomena of RC shear walls that were used to be
ignored in the analysis due to their complexity. For these models to be verified, experimental research
is continuously conducted on RC shear walls tested under monotonic, cyclic, or dynamic loading. The
numerical modeling of RC walls is not involved only in the applications for new construction, but it
is also extended to the applications of retrofitting of existing structures. In that case, it is important to
construct a representative model that is able
Manuscript received April 13, 2015

to evaluate the expected response of an existing RC shear wall under certain lateral load hazard, and
to predict its expected mode of failure in order to be able to choose the most suitable and effective
retrofitting technique for that wall that would meet a target performance.
The numerical modeling of RC elements started by Clough et al. (1965) when they proposed the
first nonlinear macromodel, and by Ngo and Scordelis (1967) who proposed the first application of
the finite element method of analysis in RC elements. Since then several advancements were done in
the area of modeling of RC elements including shear walls. The objective of this paper is to present
the different numerical models proposed by researchers for the analysis of RC shear walls
II. LITERATURE REVIEW
A. Analysis of Shear Wall with Openings Using Solid65 Element [7]
Previous researches on the behavior of shear walls with openings assumed elastic analysis utilizing
shell and brick elements. The present work adopts nonlinear finite element analysis using solid65
element. The analysis comprises both material and geometric nonlinearities. Solid65 element models

Civil PG Conference, MIT, Pune. April 24th -25th 2015, Paper no.

the nonlinear response of concrete material based on a constitutive model for the triaxial behavior of
concrete after Williams and Warnke. Five shear wall models with different opening sizes are
analyzed. A sixth model of a solid shear wall is also presented to compare the analysis results. The
paper studies the effect of the size of the openings on the behavior of the reinforced concrete shear
walls.
Modeling of Shear Wall Using Solid65 Element
The solid65 element models the nonlinear response of reinforced concrete. Solid65 models the
concrete material based on a constitutive model for the triaxial behavior of concrete after Williams
and Warnke. It is capable of plastic deformation, cracking in three orthogonal directions at each
integration point.
The cracking is modeled through an adjustment of the material properties that is carried out by
changing the element stiffness matrices. If the concrete at an integration point fails in uniaxial, biaxial
or triaxial compression, the concrete is assumed crushed at that point. Crushing is defined as the
complete deterioration of the structural integrity of the concrete.
ANSYS allows entering three reinforcement bar materials in the concrete, each material
corresponding to the x, y and z

directionsthe
of smeared element (ANSYS, release 5.5).

Figure 20: Solid65 element (ANSYS, release 5.5)

B. Numerical tools for modeling of RC shear walls [6]
Three different modeling techniques of RC shear walls into the OpenSEES software were discussed.
These models include fiber section model, flexure-shear interaction model and cyclic softened
membrane model (CSMM). Numerical simulation of cyclic loading test of a slender shear wall based
on OpenSEES in this paper shows that CSMM and fiber section model are able to simulate
characteristics of the cyclic wall responses. Strength deterioration, stiffness degradation, hysteretic
shape and pinching behavior are clearly captured in the analysis results, however because of fewer
DOFs and less computing time, the fiber section model is applicable to tall shear walls too.
Comparison between analytical model responses and test results show that the flexure-shear
interaction model provides a reasonably accurate response prediction for a slender shear wall.
a. Flexure- shear interaction model
In order to capture the experimentally observed
shearflexure interaction in RC walls, Orakcal proposed an analytical model that incorporates RC
panel behavior described by a rotation- angle approach into the multiple-vertical-lineelement-model
(MVLEM, Figure 18). The analytical model was based on the methodology developed by Petrangeli
to the MVLEM element. Flexure-shear interaction model involves modifying the MVLEM by
assigning a shear spring for each uniaxial element. Each uniaxial element is then treated as an RC
panel element, with membrane actions, with uniform normal and shear stresses applied in the in-plane
direction (Figure 19). The interaction between flexure and shear was incorporated at the uniaxial
element level. This methodology involves the implementation of the finite element method together
with a constitutive RC membrane model.
b. Fiber section model
In this model, there are a number of control cross-sections along the element. Each cross-section is
subdivided into concrete and steel fibers where uniaxial stress-strain laws are used to describe the

Civil PG Conference, MIT, Pune. April 24th -25th 2015, Paper no.

response of the material in the longitudinal direction (parallel to the element axis). These sections are
located at the control points of the numerical

integration

Figure 18. MVLEM model

Figure 19. Flexure

s- hear interaction model [9].
C. Nonlinear Analysis Methods for Reinforced Concrete
Buildings with Shear walls [5]
Reinforced concrete (RC) shear walls are modeled utilizing different techniques either using shell
elements or combination of frame elements. In the nonlinear analyses, the nonlinear material model
of mid-pier frame is generally based on plastic hinge concept located on the plastic zones at the end
of the structural elements or distributed along the member span length. The nonlinear behavior of the
shell elements is generally modeled using multi-layer shell element with layered material model. In
this approach, the concrete and the reinforcement inside the structural elements are modeled
respectively with different layers.
a.

Linear Models for Shearwalls

Application of the finite element method for the analysis of building structures with shear walls
requires an understanding of the approximations involved in the modeling assumptions to build these
elements. The two modeling procedure and assumptions are explained below:
Frame Elements Based Model
The shear walls are modeled using a set of frame elements. The most common modeling technique is
to use a composition of mid-pier frame to represent the shear wall stiffness and a horizontal frame
(rigid arm) to allow proper connections with intersecting beams and slab components. The most
critical point for this model is the proper selection of rigidity and stiffness property for the horizontal
frame. Infinite rigidity of the upper frame can highly overestimate the bending moments especially at
the connecting beams. This model is used widely in practice to model planar shear walls in building
structures for linear and nonlinear analyses. This model might have no reliable results for very long,
interacting or complex shear walls with openings.

Civil PG Conference, MIT, Pune. April 24th -25th 2015, Paper no.

Shell Elements Based Model

The shell element considered in most of the design software has six degrees of freedom at each node
and an in-plane rotational degree of freedom, which makes it compatible with three-dimensional
beam type finite element models. It is worth to know that a bilinear shape functions are used to define
the displacement field of the quadrilateral elements, Wilson (2002). Therefore, shear wall modeling
requires a mesh discretization in order to get realistic behavior. The advantage of using shell elements
is the ability to model very long, interacting and complex shear walls within the three dimensional
model.
b. Nonlinear Material Models Shear Walls The nonlinear element models of shear walls are
ranged from three dimensional nonlinear solid elements, two dimensional nonlinear shell elements to
simplified models using frame elements.
Continuum Finite Element Models
The shear wall is modeled with continuum elements using nonlinear solid elements existed in many
advanced finite element analyses software as ANSYS, ABAQUS, etc. The continuum elements offer
superiority in accurately modeling the concrete and reinforcement details (Nicolae and Reynouard,
2000). Reinforcement can be defined in three different directions. The plasticity model for concrete is
based on the flow theory of plasticity, Von Mises yield criterion, isotropic hardening and associated
flow rule. The continuum elements also capture important behavioral responses such as axial-flexure
interaction, inelastic shear deformation, steel confining effect on concrete behavior, concrete
compression softening, and concrete tension stiffening (Spacone and ElTawil, 2004).
Multi-Layer Shell Element
The shear wall is modeled using a fine mesh of smeared multi-layer shell elements. The multi-layer
shell element is based on the principles of composite material mechanics and it can simulate the
coupled in-plane/out-plane bending and the coupled in-plane bending-shear nonlinear behaviors of
RC shear walls (Miao et al, 2006). The shell element is made up of many layers with different
thickness. And different material
properties are assigned to various layers (Figure 17)
1

Rebar
2
3
Concrete
laye
Rebar
1

Figure 17. Multi-layer shell elements

D. Comparison of Practical Approaches for Modelling Shear walls in Structural Analyses of
Buildings [4]
Shell elements formulations generally consist of out-ofplane (plate) and in-plane (membrane)
degrees of freedom. The membrane element with drilling degrees of freedom was a challenge for the
engineering community for many decades. The membrane elements generally combined with plate
elements to form a shell element that has six degrees of freedom at each node and an in-plane
rotational degree of freedom, which makes it compatible with three-dimensional beam-type finite
element. This approach was successful and many analysis software have adopted various
formulations for the shell elements. In practical engineering, although the shell element appears to
have full compatibility with threedimensional beam element, some limitations in the formulation were
identified. Although drilling rotations allow introducing external loads in the form of drilling
moments, analytical results show inconsistency and sensitivity to mesh sizes and loading conditions.

Civil PG Conference, MIT, Pune. April 24th -25th 2015, Paper no.

a. Shell Elements Based Model

The shell element can be used efficiently for the analysis of building structures with shear walls.
The shell element considered in most of the design software has six degrees of freedom at each node
and an in-plane rotational degree of freedom, which makes it compatible with three-dimensional
beam-type finite element models. It is worth to know that a bilinear shape functions are used to define
the displacement field of the quadrilateral elements, Wilson (2002). Therefore, shearwall modeling
requires a mesh discretization in order to get realistic behavior. The advantage of using shell elements
is the ability to model very long, interacting and complex shearwalls within the three dimensional
model. The optimal size of the mesh and the effects of mesh size on the results are shown in the
numerical examples below. Although the shell element formulations include the drilling degree of
freedom, analytical results show inconsistency and sensitivity of the drilling moment to mesh sizes
and loading conditions. This shortcoming has significant effects on the bending moment of the inplane beams connected to the shearwall. To resolve this problem, in engineering practice, the beam
connecting to shear wall are generally modeled to some extend inside the shearwall shell elements.

Rigid
Element

Beam framing
into wall

Figure 14: Rigid element defined along the top chord of the wall

Rigid
Element

Beam framing

Figure 15: Rigid element penetrating along one mesh length

a. Frame Elements Based Model
The shearwalls are modeled using a set of frame elements. The most common modeling technique is
to use a composition of mid-pier frame to represent the shearwall stiffness and a horizontal frame
(rigid arm) to allow proper connections with intersecting beams and slab components. The most
critical point for this model is the proper selection of rigidity and stiffness property for the horizontal
frame. Infinite rigidity of the upper frame can highly overestimate the bending moments especially at
the connecting beams. This model is used widely in practice to model planar shearwalls in building
structures for linear and nonlinear analyses. This model might have no reliable results for very long,
interacting or complex shearwalls with openings.

Civil PG Conference, MIT, Pune. April 24th -25th 2015, Paper no.

Rigid Arm

MidPier
Element

Beam framing
into wall

Wall

Figure 16: MidPier Model

Based on numerical results for different buildings models and shearwalls configurations and the
different analyses set results of the example building, the following conclusions can be made
In modeling shearwalls with shell elements, the drilling moment of the shearwalls and the bending
moment of the inplane connected beams are changed dramatically with mesh density. For finer
meshes 10 times reduction of the drilling moment can be estimated.
Introduction of top chord frame stabilise the results considerably. Good estimation of the properties
of the top chord frame is very important not to affect the overall stiffness of the structural system.
Best results are obtained using a top chord frame element to enhance the fixity of the beams framing
into the shearwall. Using one penetrating rigid element along the top mesh give good results for
coarse meshes. For finer mesh (20x20) 15% differences are exist in drilling moments for shearwalls
and bending moments of the beams along major direction.
E. Advancement in modeling of RC shear walls [3]
This paper presents different modeling
techniques that have been used by researchers in modeling of RC shear walls. These range from
macro-models such as lumped plasticity, multiaxial spring models, combined models, up to micromodels such as finite element models and fibre models. The paper discusses the efficiency of each
model in representing both the global and local behaviour of RC shear walls.
a.
Micro-Modeling versus Macro-Modeling The two main approaches for modeling of RC
members are micro-modeling and macro modeling. Micro-modeling such as the finite element
analysis or fiber analysis is based on representing the behaviour of different materials that compose
the RC element and the interaction between them. The member is discretized into small elements and
principles of equilibrium are applied. This approach is complex and needs high numerical processing
efforts, and hence it might not be practical for large structures and it is limited to model individual
structural components such as a column, a beam or a wall. On the other hand, macro-modeling is
based on representing the overall behaviour of the RC element, such as the wall deformations,
strength, and energy dissipation capacity. The global behaviour of the RC element using a macromodel should be calibrated using an experimental verification to adjust the parameters needed for the
model. This approach is simple and does not require high numerical efforts, which makes it suitable
to simulate the response of large structures.
b.
Hysteretic Models
The cyclic behaviour of RC shear walls should be defined using a hysteretic model that is able to
simulate different inelastic phenomena of reinforced concrete materials. The modeling of the
hysteretic behaviour of the RC element can affect the element response significantly (Anderson and
Townsend 1977). These models can be used to represent the axial, flexure and shear behaviour of the
element. The hysteretic model consists of a primary curve (backbone curve) that control the
monotonic loading and some hysteresis rules that control the loading and unloading element
behaviour under cyclic loading. The control parameters of the hysteresis rules are adjusted to simulate
the actual cyclic behaviour of the tested wall.
c.
Micro-Modeling of RC Shear Walls
Finite element method of analysis
The number of the finite elements is chosen according to the level of accuracy required and the
available analysis tool. The FEM of analysis is capable of tracking the members global behaviour
(e.g. member forces and displacements) in addition to its local behaviour (e.g. crack pattern, material
stresses and strains). The first FE model used for RC element was proposed by Ngo and Scordelis

Civil PG Conference, MIT, Pune. April 24th -25th 2015, Paper no.

(1967). The proposed two-dimensional linear model used constant strain triangular (CST) finite
elements to model the concrete and steel elements, linkage elements were used to represent the bond
between steel and concrete elements, and the effect of cracking was included in the model. Fibre
(layer) model
In this model, the member is divided longitudinally into several segments, and each segment consists
of parallel layers. Some layers would represent the concrete material and other layers would represent
the steel material. In other type of models, each single layer was divided into a finite number of fibres
as shown in Figure 5 (a). The constitutive laws for concrete and steel materials are defined, and hence
the moment-curvature relationship of the member can be calculated at each load level. This model
accounts for the distribution of flexibility along the member length and the

axial
-flexure interaction.

Figure 5 (a) Fibre beam element proposed

(b) Multi
l-ayer finite element model
d.

Macro-Modeling of RC Shear Walls

Two-component beam-column element
The model developed by Clough et al. (1965) consisted mainly of two parallel components; one was
fully elastic and the other was perfectly elasto-plastic as shown in Figure 6. The two components
were able to represent the material yielding (elasto-plastic behaviour) and the strain hardening (elastic
behaviour). The nonlinearity of this model was represented uniformly along the entire member
length. The main problem of this model was its inability to represent the element stiffness

or strength degradation with cyclic loading.

Figure 6 Two
component
element model.
One-component beam-column element
This element which was developed by Giberson (1967) consisted of one linear elastic member with
two nonlinear rotational springs at the two member ends as shown in Figure 7. The members

Civil PG Conference, MIT, Pune. April 24th -25th 2015, Paper no.

nonlinear deformations were assumed to be lumped at the zero-length end springs (lumped plasticity).
For this model, the deformed shape was assumed to have a double curvature with a fixed point of
contraflexure at the middle of the member, and the plain sections were assumed to remain plain. The
one-component model and the general twocomponent model need an appropriate hysteretic
loaddeformation (or moment-curvature) models to be defined. This requires definition of different
properties of the members plastic hinges such as stiffness, strength, ductility, cyclic behaviour, etc.,
which may be difficult to be defined unless
some assumptions were made. Multiple spring model
Multiple spring model
This model was proposed by Takayanagi and Schnobrich (1976). The multiple spring model
consisted of a number of inelastic springs that are connected in series using rigid members as shown
in Figure 7. The inelastic properties of each spring were varied according to the segment properties
and the level of axial load on that segment, however the segment properties were assumed to be
constant along the segment length. The model was used to represent the behaviour of coupled shear
walls, while the coupling beams were modeled using one-component elements. This model was used
by Emori and Schnobrich (1981) to model the shears wall of a 10-storey frame-wall building. Linear
shear deformations were assumed in the analysis. The models were found to satisfactorily represent
the nonlinear behaviour of the studied structure.

Figure 7 Multiple spring model

Multi-axial spring model (MS model)
This model was proposed by Lai et al. (1984) to simulate the axial-flexure interaction of RC
columns. The proposed model consisted of an elastic linear member with two multiaxial spring
elements (MS elements) of zero dimensions located at the two member ends as shown in Figure 8.
The MS element consisted of 5 concrete and 4 steel springs, each spring was assumed to be uniaxially
stressed and its behaviour was governed by the hysteretic stress-strain characteristics of the simulated
material (concrete or steel). The main input for this model was the material (concrete/steel)
constitutive laws rather than the load-deformation relationship of the whole member. Multi-linear
curves were used to represent the stressstrain or (force-deformation) relationship for concrete and
steel springs. The spring deformations were conformed to the

Civil PG Conference, MIT, Pune. April 24th -25th 2015, Paper no.

plane section
ssumption.
a

Figure 8 Multi
a
- xial spring model by Lai et al. (1984): a)
Member model, b) Inelastic element,

c) Effective concrete and steel springs.

Truss models
This model assumed that the wall will act as a statically determinate truss. The model consists of
diagonal concrete compression struts, horizontal tension ties (representing the shear reinforcement),
and two boundary elements at the wall ends to carry the moment acting. Figure 9(a) shows the truss
model used by Oesterle at al. (1984) for analysis of shear response of RC shear walls. Other models
based on the same analogy were used to calculate the capacity of RC walls, such as the SoftenedStrut-and-Tie model shown in Figure 8(b). The model was used by Yu and Hwang (2005) to predict
the shear capacity of RC squat walls. It is worth noting that, although such models are able to predict
the capacity of RC elements, they cannot capture the cyclic or the hysteretic behaviour of these
elements.

Civil PG Conference, MIT, Pune. April 24th -25th 2015, Paper no.

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Figure 9 (a) Truss model used by Oesterle

1984)
, et al. (

(b) Softened
-Strut
-and-Tie model
Combined models
Three Vertical Line Element (TVLE) model
The model consisted of three vertical line elements connected to each other by rigid bars at the top
and the bottom wall ends, two edge links with axial springs representing the boundary elements, and
the central one-component element with three springs to control the vertical, horizontal, and
rotational deformations of the wall as shown in Figure 10. The main problems about this model were
the lack of deformation compatibility between the wall and the boundary elements, and the difficulty
in defining the properties of the springs.

Civil PG Conference, MIT, Pune. April 24th -25th 2015, Paper no.

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Figure 10 Three Vertical Line Element model

Figure 11 Axial-element-in-series model

Multiple Vertical Line Element (MVLE) model
The wall element was represented by a number of uniaxial elements connected in parallel using
infinitely rigid bars located at the top and bottom wall ends; two external elements simulates the wall
boundary elements, while the other elements simulates the combined axial-flexure behaviour of the
central panel. A horizontal spring was used to represent the inelastic shear behaviour of the wall. The
authors modified the axialelement-in-series model (AESM) by having two-component model for
element 1, representing the cracked concrete and steel reinforcement behaviour, instead of the onecomponent element in the original model as shown in Figure 12. The constitutive laws for concrete
(cracked and uncracked) and steel elements were defined to describe the hysteretic response

of the materials.

Figure 12Multiple vertical line element model

Figure 13 Modified-element
axial -in-series

Civil PG Conference, MIT, Pune. April 24th -25th 2015, Paper no.

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F. An analytical model to predict the inelastic seismic behavior of shear-wall, reinforced concrete
structures [2]
2001
A shear failure mode model based on experimental results has been added to the computer program
larz. And studied most relevant problems and solutions devised during the development of this model.
Validation of the model was carried out by comparing its results with the actual response of two
b. Model for flexural failure mode
The SINA hysteresis model implemented in the larz computer program (Fig. 3) was adopted in this
study to model the non-linear flexural behavior and the moment curvature hysteretic relations for wall
elements. As shown in Fig. 3, pinching effects and stiffness and strength reductions due to repeated
cycles at the same deformation level were not implemented in the model for flexural behaviorreal
buildings. In spite of the fact that the model is two-dimensional and, hence, it ignores the torsional
response, the results obtained

are satisfactory

Fig. 3. Hysteretic model for flexural mode of failure (beams,

columns, shear walls).
Model for shear failure mode
Shear dominated behavior was also modeled using the SINA hysteresis model as shown in Fig. 4.
Pinching effects and strength reduction due to repeated cycles at the same deformation level were
now implemented in the hysteresis model. The model for the shear failure mode assumes independent
of the shear strength of walls on both the bending

moment and the axial force present in the wall.

Fig. 4. Hysteretic model for shear mode of failure (shear walls).

This study has proposed and implemented a model to include the shear failure mode for walls in
available computer programs. The model developed in this study is a macro-model validated with the
experimental results of cyclic tests of shear walls
G. Modeling of reinforced concrete shear wall for nonlinear analysis combining FEM panel model
and

Civil PG Conference, MIT, Pune. April 24th -25th 2015, Paper no.

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boundary elements. [1]

A member model of reinforced concrete shear wall with boundary columns and beams was proposed
for nonlinear and dynamic frame analysis. The reinforced concrete shear wall was idealized as axial
springs for columns and a panel under plane stress states with rigid beams at top and bottom floor
levels. Two methods were compared, in which isoparametric element and incompatible rectangular
element with four nodes for the panel element were used. The model was verified through the
analysis of T-shaped wall tests. The analytical results obtained by the proposed model showed
generally good correlation with the experimental results. Shear deformation was overestimated by
isoparametric panel element, whereas incompatible rectangular element, which incorporated flexural
deformation by using internal displacements, gave better correlation with the experimental results of
flexural yielding walls. For the walls in shear failure, the analytical results were basically same either
by isoparametric element or incompatible element.
a. Composition of RC Wall Member Model
Three-Vertical-Line-Element-Model (TVLEM)
It was formulated [Kabeyasawa, 1983] to idealize a generic wall member as three vertical line
elements with infinitely rigid beams at top and bottom floor levels. Outside truss elements were
represented by the axial stiffness of boundary columns, while the central element was a uniaxial
model with vertical (axial), horizontal (shear) and rotational springs. This model has been verified by
many test data resulting in a satisfactory correlation between calculated and measured response of
structures that use shear walls. However, it was reported [Colotti, 1993] that the response was not
adequately described for high shear stresses.

Figure 1: Macro-Element Model for RC Wall Member

FEM Panel Model

In order to improve the prediction of the overall (shear and flexural) behavior of RC structural walls,
this study proposes a 4-node panel under biaxial loading to represent the wall effect (Figure 1(b)).
The boundary column uses the same axial spring proposed in TVLEM. Using just one panel to
constitute the wall, shear strain will be overestimated by the isoparametric element (Figure 2(a)),
satisfactory result cannot be obtained for the flexural problem. Flexural deformation must be
considered in the element. In this study, incompatible rectangular element is used, in which flexural
deformation can

be introduced (Figure 2(b)).

12

434
(a) Isoparametric Element
(b) Incompatible Element
Figure 2: Panel Element Isoparametric Element and

Civil PG Conference, MIT, Pune. April 24th -25th 2015, Paper no.

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Incompatible Element
A new model for reinforced concrete shear wall was proposed, which combined a FEM panel
element and boundary line elements. Two methods using isoparametric element and incompatible
element for a panel were compared with the test results. The model with isoparametric element
slightly overestimates shear deformation for flexural yield shear walls. The model with incompatible
rectangular element is better than the model isoparametric element for prediction of shear and
flexural displacement components. The model gave a good correlation between analytical and
experimental results.
III. CONCLUSION AND SUMMARY
The study of all above researches, experiments, practical tests, and findings it is concluded that
1. For modelling of shearwall there are two main approaches namely Macro modelling and Micro
modelling, each approach has its own advantage and disadvantages due to idealizations and
assumptions and choice of approach is mainly depend on response parameters of interest either local
or global behavior of shear wall.
2. Choice of modelling of shear wall also depends on types of shear wall its dimension, shape, material
used for wall, loading on wall etc.
3. Although the finite element method appeals for its accuracy and for its ability to model different
phenomena and their interaction, it requires the solution of a large system of equations, and the
integration of stress in two or three space directions. This model is complex and needs high numerical
processing effort, and hence it might not be practical for large structures
4. There are mainly six models included in macro scale model: one-component model, two-component
model, multi-axial spring model (MS model), truss model, multi spring model and multi component
model. The macro scale model is based on representing the overall behavior of the RC shear wall,
such as the wall deformations, strength, and energy dissipation capacity.
REFERENCES
[1] Shaohua1, Toshimi2, (2000) Modeling of reinforced concrete shear wall for nonlinear Analysis, World
Conference on Earthquake Engineering
[2] P.A. Hidalgo1 , R.M. Jordan2, M.P. Martinez3, (2002), An analytical model to predict the inelastic seismic
behavior of shearwall, reinforced concrete structures, Engineering Structures 24 (2002).pp 8598
[3] K. Galal1 and H. El-Sokkary2, Advancement in modeling of RC shear walls, (The 14thWorld Conference on
Earthquake Engineering October 12-17, 2008, Beijing, China)
[4] J. Kubin1, Y. M. Fahjan2 and M. T. Tan3, (2008), Comparison of Practical Approaches For
ModellingShearwalls in Structural
Analysis of Buildings, the 14 thWorld Conference on Earthquake Engineering October 12-17, 2008, Beijing,
China
[5] Y.M. J. Kubin1 M.T. Tan2, (2010), Nonlinear Analysis Methods for Reinforced Concrete Buildings with
Shear walls, 14th European Conference on Earthquake Engineering
[6] Ali Soltani1,.Farhad Behnamfar2,.Kiachehr Behfarnia3,.Farshad Berahman4, (2011)Numerical tools for
modeling of RC shear walls,8th International Conference on Structural Dynamics
[7] Mazen A. Musmar, (2013), Analysis of Shear Wall with Openings Using Solid65 Element, Jordan Journal
of Civil Engineering, Volume 7, No. 2,

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College Name: - JSPMS Imperial College of Engineering and Research,

Wagholi, Pune

Civil PG Conference, MIT, Pune. April 24th -25th 2015, Paper no.

Asst. Prof. Y.R.Suryawanshi

PG-coordinator
Guide
Structural Engineering

Asst. Prof. Satish Rathod

Prof. Dr. A. W. Dhawale

Head of Department
Civil Engineering
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