Kunal Hundal
Independent Researcher
India
Abstract
This manuscript investigates the seismic behavior of multi-storey reinforced concrete structures incorporating shear wall systems. Emphasis is placed on the influence of shear wall configuration, aspect ratio, opening presence, wall-to-floor area ratio, and interaction with moment frames on dynamic response under earthquake loading. A combination of nonlinear static pushover analyses and time-history analyses is employed to evaluate global performance measures—inter-story drift, base shear, and ductility demand—using representative ground motions recorded in seismic zones up to 2016. Case studies include existing high-rise residential and office buildings retrofitted with shear walls, as well as newly designed structures optimized for seismic resistance. Methodology involves detailed finite element modeling of shear wall–frame interaction, calibration of hysteretic behavior using widely accepted constitutive models, and parametric studies to assess critical design parameters. Results indicate that shear walls significantly enhance lateral stiffness and energy dissipation capacity, reducing inter-story drifts by up to 60 % and base shear demand by 20 % compared to bare frames. However, excessive stiffness concentration can lead to irregular deformation patterns and potential soft-story mechanisms at levels without walls. The study concludes with recommendations on optimal shear wall placement, aspect ratios, and design guidelines consistent with codes as of 2016. Scope and limitations address modeling assumptions, ground motion selection, and generalizability to irregular configurations.
Keywords
Seismic behavior, Multi-storey structures, Shear walls, Pushover analysis, Time-history analysis, Drift control, Energy dissipation, Hysteretic modeling, RC shear walls, 2016 design practice
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