Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis of Mechanical Performance of Reinforced Concrete Short-Limb Shear Wall

On the basis of test,nonlinear finite element analysis of reinforced concrete (R.C) short-limb shear walls under monotonic horizontal load are carried out by ANSYS program in order to understand the evolution of cracking,deformation and failure course of the specimens. At the same time, the results of numerical calculation are compared with the results of test. The results indicate that, under monotonic horizontal load the failures of the specimens with flange wall and without flange wall all occur at the intersections of lintel bottom and limb of wall, the failures also occur at the bottom of limb; the load-displacement curve of wall without flange is steeper than that of wall with flange, and the ductility is worse than that of wall with flange; the results, such as cracking, deformation, yield load and so on of finite element analysis agree well with the results of test. These results provide theoretical basis of study and application of R.C short-limb shear wall.