DESIGN OF SLENDER REINFORCED-CONCRETE WALLS WITH OPENINGS

This paper summarizes the results of an experimental and analytical st udy of slender reinforced concrete structural walls with an opening at the base. The primary objectives of this research were the evaluation of a displacement-based approach for the selection of transverse boun dary, reinforcement, and the evaluation of a strut and tie model for t he selection of the horizontal shear reinforcement. Two approximately quarter-scale wall specimens were constructed and tested under constan t axial stress and reverse cyclic lateral lending. Experimental result s show that, when designed using a combined displacement-based and str ut and tie approach, slender structural walls with openings at the bas e exhibit stable hysteretic behavior and significant ductility The dis placement-based design technique allowed transverse boundary reinforce ment to be provided as needed rather than selected based on a nominal value. The strut and lie model was Sound to be an effective tool for t he design of discontinuous regions, cohere simplified code equations a re not appropriate.