CONTINUOUS TRANSFER BEAMS SUPPORTING INPLANE LOADED SHEAR WALLS IN TALL BUILDINGS

The failure mechanism and structural behavior of transfer beams suppor ting in-plane loaded shear walls have received added emphasis owing to their importance in connection with tall building construction. This paper presents an analysis of and investigation of the structural beha vior of two-span transfer beam-shear wall systems in tall. buildings. The interaction between the transfer girders and the shear wall has be en investigated considering interior and exterior column interaction e ffects. The upper structural form has a significant effect on the fail ure mechanism of the transfer girders, which can act as full tension m embers or behave as ordinary flexural beams. Stress distributions in t he shear wall interactive zone are presented. The relevant parameters that significantly influence the force transfer mechanism and structur al behavior, such as the span/depth ratio of the transfer beam, the sp an of the shear wall and the stiffness of the support columns, are hig hlighted. The present paper provides a very useful reference for the d esign of continuous transfer girders supporting in-plane loaded shear walls in tall buildings.