Numerical modelling strategy for predicting the response of reinforced concrete walls using Timoshenko theory

In recent decades, different macro-models have been proposed for simulating the behaviour of concrete shear walls because of their significant role in the seismic performance of urban buildings. The ability of Timoshenko's beam theory to evaluate the behaviour of slender and moderate-aspect-ratio concrete shear walls was evaluated in this work. For this purpose, a non-linear displacement-based Timoshenko fibre element was first added to OpenSees software. A new constitutive model based on modified compression field theory was used for the stress–strain relationship of the materials. To validate the element and the materials used, the results of the numerical model were compared with a set of laboratory tests of concrete shear walls subjected to cyclic and seismic loads (shaking table tests). Evaluation of the numerical model and the experimental results revealed that the analysis procedure used to model the reinforced concrete walls predicted their overall and local responses with acceptable accuracy. It can thus be used as a reliable tool for the analysis of slender and moderate-aspect-ratio concrete shear walls.