Nonlinear modeling and analysis of slender reinforced concrete walls

Predicting inelastic responses of reinforced concrete walls and wall systems requires accurate, effective, and robust modeling and analysis tools that incorporate important material characteristics and behavioral response features (that is, neutral axis migration, tension-stiffening, progressive gap closure, and nonlinear shear behavior). A research project was undertaken to investigate and to improve an effective modeling approach for the reliable prediction of the inelastic response of slender reinforced concrete (RC) walls that incorporates refined constitutive models and various response features. It was verified that the multiple-vertical-line-element model captures important response characteristics associated with cyclic behavior RC structural walls governed by flexure. The wall model adopted herein provides a flexible platform to assess the influence of material and other behavioral features in nonlinear responses. Variation of model and material parameters was investigated to identify the sensitivity of global and local model results to changes in these parameters.