A Macro-Model for Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis of 3D RC Shear Walls and Comparison with the Finite Elements Method

Due to architectural limitations, in many cases the RC shear walls have to be extended in plan in different directions at one location making them a 3D configuration. Modeling and analysis of such walls is very challenging and only a few studies are available on them. In this research a number of 3D shear walls are considered with different shapes and heights. They are modeled for nonlinear dynamic analysis in Abaqus software using an exact moment-shear interaction model. A suit of appropriately selected and scaled ground motions are used for analysis. The envelope of the nonlinear force-displacement responses is used to develop a macro model of the same walls consisting of an elastic wall throughout in series with a nonlinear moment-rotation spring at the base in Opensees. It is shown that the developed model can predict the maximum responses with a very good accuracy in a much less time.

A Macro-Model for Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis of 3D RC Shear Walls and Comparison with the Finite Elements Method Keywords:

3D RC shear wall , macro model , nonlinear dynamic analysis