Numerical modeling of rectangular reinforced concrete structural walls

A finite-element modeling approach has been used in this study to predict the nonlinear behavior and failure patterns of rectangular reinforced concrete structural walls. Efficiency of the model has been evaluated using experimental results of walls with different shear-span ratios, which failed in different modes. The walls are modeled in a finite-element analysis program. Reinforced concrete sections of the walls are represented by curved shell elements along with embedded bar elements. The plane sections are not enforced to remain plane in this type of model, and the in-plane axial-flexure-shear interaction can be simulated without requiring any empirical adjustment. The model is found to be able to reasonably capture the lateral load versus top displacement response of the specimens and predict most of the experimentally observed failure mechanisms of rectangular walls except bar buckling. The simulated failure patterns include shear, flexure, flexure-shear, and flexure-out-of-plane modes, and the failure to predict bar buckling was expected because of inherent deficiencies of embedded bar elements and limitations of material models available in the program. Moreover, the strain profile and crack pattern captured by the model are found to be in good agreement with experimental observations, indicating that in addition to the overall global response predictions, local behavior of the wall models can also be predicted reasonably well. © 2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.