Modeling of Shear Strength for Squat Reinforced Concrete Walls with Boundary Elements

This paper presents mechanics-based modeling methodologies to predict the shear strength of squat walls incorporating boundary elements. Developed with the intention of surmounting the limitations of empirical models that are prevalent in the structural engineering community, these approaches are composed of an iterative analytical method and simplified design equations. Conforming to experimental observations, a failure criterion is established to determine the web crushing and shear compression of each wall component. Upon validating the methodologies against 123 test data compiled from the literature, detailed responses of the wall system are examined to comprehend the behavior of the web and the compression and tension boundary elements subjected to lateral loading. Model outcomes indicate that the overall strength of the squat walls is distributed to the web and the boundary elements by 58% and 42%, respectively, signifying that the contribution of the boundary elements should not be ignored, unlike the case of most customary models. In contrast to the provision of published design specifications, both horizontal and vertical reinforcing bars affect the shear strength of the web concrete. The growth of compressive principal strains, which dominate the failure of the members, is a function of the reinforcement ratio. According to statistical evaluations, the proposed models outperform existing models in terms of capacity prediction. The effects of major parameters are articulated from a practical standpoint.