Load-deformation responses of slender reinforced concrete walls

A detailed review of experimental data obtained from select slender reinforced concrete (RC) wall tests was conducted to assess the relative contributions of flexural and shear deformations to inelastic lateral displacements. An important feature of the study is to assess the accuracy and consistency of the experimental results, including any coupling between inelastic flexural and shear deformations, as well as to provide vital data to support the development and calibration of nonlinear models. Based on these studies, it was found that commonly used approaches, which rely on diagonal displacement transducers mounted within the yielding region of the wall, tend to overestimate shear distortions by as much as 30%. An approach to correct the results based on the use of vertical displacement transducers within the yielding region is evaluated and found to produce consistent results for the tests evaluated. The use of 4 to 6 pairs of vertical displacement transducer pairs was found to be effective. Evaluation of the test results also indicates coupling between inelastic flexural and shear deformations, despite nominal shear strengths of approximately twice the shear force applied during the test.