Nonlinear analysis of low-rise reinforced concrete shear walls by manifoldmethod

The nonlinear behavior of low-rise RC shear wall is studied by using the nu merical manifold method. The numerical manifold method is a new numerical m ethod proposed by Shi. This method provides a unified framework for solving problems dealing with both continuums and jointed materials. It can be con sidered as a generalized finite element method and discontinuous deformatio n analysis. The nonlinear constitutive relation of reinforced concrete is a dopted to modify the manifold method. The numerical model is verified by co mparing the numerical solutions with experimental results. The load-displac ement relations predicted by the proposed model agree well with the experim ental ones. The numerical model is proved to be capable of simulating the n onlinear behavior of RC shear walls and slitted walls. The numerical manifo ld method with nonlinear constitutive relation of reinforced concrete is an attractive new numerical technique for concrete structure analysis.