EFFECT OF SOFTENING MODELS ON BEHAVIOR OF REINFORCED-CONCRETE FRAMED SHEARWALLS

Cracked reinforced concrete in compression has been observed to exhibi t lower strength and stiffness than uniaxially compressed concrete. Th e so-called compression softening effect responsible is thought to be related to the degree of transverse cracking and straining present. It significantly affects the strength, ductility and load-deformation re sponse of a concrete element. A number of experimental investigations have been undertaken to determine the degree of softening that occurs, and the factors that affect it. Ar the same time, a number of diverse analytical models have been proposed by various researchers aimed at modeling this behavior. In this paper; a softened truss model theory f or low-rise framed shearwalls is developed according to the principle of the stress and strain transformations. Using this theory all the so ftening parameters for the concrete struts are examined by 44 test she arwalls available in literature. It is found that the 1993 Vecchio and Collins' Model A provides the best results.