Seismic performance of short-pier shear walls: theoretical analysis and numerical simulation

To research the seismic performance of short-pier shear walls, firstly, influences of the constraints at the edges were considered, and the theoretical calculation equations of the ultimate axial compression ratio were established based on the plane section assumption and critical reinforcement of short-pier shear walls sections, in addition, the numerical simulation was conducted to study the seismic performance of short-pier shear walls. Then the ultimate axial compression ratio was obtained by the calculation theory. through changing the axial compression ratio of numerical models, influences of the axial compression ratio on seismic performance of short-pier shear walls were analyzed when the axial compression ratio was smaller or larger than the ultimate axial compression ratio. At last, the seismic performance of short-pier shear walls with different height-thickness ratios was studied. Results show that the ratios of the calculated and test results of skeleton curves characteristic points are between 0.86 and 1.08, and the numerical simulation results have a good agreement with the test results; when the axial compression ratio of short-pier shear walls is less than the ultimate axial compression ratio, with the axial compression ratio increasing 0.1, the horizontal bearing capacity increases about 7. 81%, and the ductility reduces about 4.52%; when the axial compression ratio of short-pier shear walls is more than the ultimate axial compression ratio, with the axial compression ratio increasing 0.1, the horizontal bearing capacity reduces about 5.50%, and the ductility reduces about 6.85%, the accuracy of the calculation theory for ultimate axial compression ratio is verified. In the case of equal section areas, shear walls with a big cross section height-thickness ratio can have a good seismic performance. © 2016, Editorial Department of Journal of Southwest Jiaotong University. All right reserved.