SEISMIC PERFORMANCE OF HOLLOW RECTANGULAR REINFORCED CONCRETE PIERS WITH HIGHLY-CONFINED BOUNDARY ELEMENTS PHASE I: FLEXURAL TESTS, PHASE II: SHEAR TESTS

This report describes a study in which large scale tests were conducted to investigate the integral behavior of structural walls with highly-confined boundary elements. Five test units with similar geometry and longitudinal reinforcement were loaded cyclically in single bending. The design parameters included column length transverse reinforcement in the wall, and wall thickness. Results from tests are compared with predictions of deformation capacity and shear capacity. Experimental plastic hinge lengths are derived for both tall and short columns. The steel contribution to shear capacity is evaluated based both on the action of the transverse bars in the wall and on that of the boundary element spirals. The report discussed web crushing capacity in relation to the critical compression struts transferring shear between the compressional and tension boundary elements in the plastic hinge region.