Comparison of using Different Modeling Techniques on the Prediction of the Nonlinear Behavior of R/C Shear Walls

Abstract: Reinforced concrete shear walls have been used throughout the world as known resisting elements for the lateral wind and earthquake loads. They are mostly designed and constructed based on elastic calculations and therefore resulting in un-economical sections. In order to overcome this weakness, scientists have proposed different methodologies to account for the non linear behavior of these walls. However, by using these different models, different results are obtained causing doubts about the domain of their usage. In this paper, three known methods are used for the prediction of the non linear behavior of R/C shear walls and then they are compared together, investigating possibilities and weakness of each method. In doing so, first a nonlinear finite element model has been generated for a quarter-scale wall specimen, calibrated and verified by a well known experimental model and then have been applied to the used analytical models. Results are compared and relatively good agreements are obtained amongst three modeling methods. Thereafter, methods used, procedure, modeling and the analytical results are presented in this paper.