Nonlinear Seismic Response Analysis of an Innovative Steel-and-Concrete Hybrid Coupled Wall System

This paper studies the seismic response of an innovative hybrid coupled shear wall (HCW) system, obtained through the connection of a reinforced concrete (RC) wall to two steel side columns by means of steel links. This structural solution is conceived to exploit both the stiffness of the RC wall, required to limit building damage under low-intensity earthquakes, and the ductility of the steel links, necessary to dissipate energy under medium-intensity and high-intensity earthquakes. The seismic performance of the proposed HCW system is evaluated through multirecord nonlinear dynamic analysis of a set of case studies designed on the basis of a specific ductile design procedure. The adopted finite-element models are illustrated and validated with experimental tests and more complex three-dimensional numerical models. A selection of results is presented and discussed to highlight the potential of the proposed innovative HCW systems and the possibility to develop a ductile mechanism in which plastic deformations are mainly attained in the steel links, with minor damages in the RC wall.