A macro-model of shear wall considering buckling of cross section

A rigidbarspring element with six degrees of freedom is initiated, which can be laid out like the conventional finite element in both vertical and horizontal directions to compose the macromodel for shear walls with a proper density satisfying the requirements of accuracy and computational work. This scheme reflects not only the shift of the neutral axis, but also the shear buckling of the cross section, and thus it is free of the restriction of plane assumption in existing models. This treatment is certainly necessary for the cases of small shear span ratio. Moreover, the method by which the vertical springs in this model are located at the points of Gaussian integration effectively enhances the computational accuracy and efficiency. The elastoplastic pushover analyses of five shear walls are carried out by using current model with results close to those of experiments. Some points on choosing constitutive relations and deformation hypotheses in macro modeling are discussed.