Finite Element Modeling of Shear‐Wall‐Dominant Buildings

Two‐dimensional continuum finite elements are used to model a 10‐story reinforced concrete shear‐wall building subjected to in‐plane loadings. The Uniform Building Code‐prescribed seismic lateral force distribution is increased proportionally to building failure. Well‐known material models describe the essential nonlinearities of reinforced concrete. Continuum element models provide a physical, realistic modeling of the nonlinear processes leading to ultimate failure in shear‐wall structures. A parallel analysis is run, using beam‐column elements to model the building shear walls. All nonlinearity is lumped into zero‐length plastic hinges at the beam‐column end nodes. Both analysis models yield similar loaddisplacement responses and predict nearly the same damage patterns and failure mode. However, beam‐column models rely on abstract representations of nonlinearity and require detailed preanalyses to determine appropriate hinge properties. Strengths and weaknesses of each model type are discussed. The building in question performed successfully during the March 1985 earthquake in Chile.