Finite element analysis on lightweight reinforced concrete shear walls with different web reinforcement

Non-linear finite element analysis can help researchers to do more extensive investigations on the behaviours of reinforced concrete structure. A reasonable three dimensional finite element model was developed in this study to predict the seismic behaviours of lightweight reinforced concrete shear walls. Four lightweight reinforced concrete shear wall specimens with different web reinforcements, either conventionally (orthogonal grids) or with diagonal bars, were tested and simulated by this model. The comparisons of calculated results with the experimental results of the load-top displacement relationship, the shear capacity and the strain developments in steels and concrete indicate that, the finite element method presented in this study can capture the non-linear response of lightweight reinforced shear walls under earthquake load conditions. Moreover, the study on the shear transport mechanism and function of bidiagonal web reinforcements were processed, which induced that diagonal web reinforcement was effective in transferring shear force to the foundation and the shear forces carried by the compressive struts were evidently reduced due to the existing of diagonal web reinforcement.