Numerical simulation of shear wall failure mechanisms

This study investigates the ability of a finite element model in predicting nonlinear behavior and failure patterns of RC structural walls. Experimental results of walls with different shear-span ratios which failed in different modes are used for verification. The walls are modelled in the finite element analysis program DIANA9.4.4. Curved shell elements with embedded bar elements are used to simulate the reinforced concrete section of the walls to be analysed. This type of model does not require ‘plane sections to remain plane’ along a wall, and simulates the in-plane axial-flexure-shear interaction without requiring any empirical adjustment. The model is found to capture the monotonic and cyclic responses of the tested wall specimens with reasonable accuracy in terms of hysteresis curves and failure patterns. The failure patterns simulated by the model include shear, flexure, flexure-shear and flexure-out of plane modes depending on different parameters particularly shear-span ratio of the specimens. Moreover, the strain profile captured by the model was in good agreement with experimental measurements indicating that in addition to the overall global response predictions, local behaviour of the wall models can be predicted reasonably well.