The Influence of Shear Wall Position on Seismic Performance in Buildings

Abstract

Salah Guettala, Akram Khelaifia, Rachid Chebili and Ali Zine

Reinforced concrete shear walls play a pivotal role in safeguarding buildings from the destructive forces of seismic events by providing both strength and stiffness. In this study, we delve into the critical aspect of optimizing the placement of shear walls in a high seismic zone. By conducting nonlinear analyses on an eight-story building, we examine various scenarios of shear wall positions to assess their impact on the structure's seismic performance. To achieve this goal, the study adopts a performance-based seismic design (PBSD) approach, with a focus on meeting acceptance criteria related to inter-story drift ratio and damage levels. Through meticulous analysis, the findings underscore the significance of concentrating shear walls in the central area of the building during the design phase. This strategic positioning yields superior performance compared to peripheral distributions, effectively reducing inter-story drift and mitigating potential damage during seismic events. Furthermore, the research delves into the utilization of shear walls that entirely infill the frame, forming compound shapes like Box configurations. It is revealed that incorporating such complete shear walls substantially enhances the reliability of the structure concerning inter- story drift. Conversely, the absence of complete shear walls within the frame results in reduced stiffness and the potential deterioration of short beams.

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