SHEAR WALL VERTICAL DISCONTINUITY EFFECT ON THE FLOOR DIAPHRAGM

Author

Nisha Bhatta, Southern Illinois University CarbondaleFollow

Date of Award

8-1-2019

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Civil Engineering

First Advisor

Hsiao, J. Kent

Abstract

Reinforced concrete shear wall is one of the most commonly used lateral load resisting structural component in reinforced concrete buildings. Shear walls carry large horizontal forces, as they are designed to resist the lateral forces that are parallel to the walls. Most of the codal provisions have the requirement that the shear wall should be provided continuously from the foundation level to the top level of the structure. But in some cases, due to architecture necessities or economic considerations, shear walls are constructed discontinuously. Vertical discontinuity of the shear wall can cause alteration of performance of the structure, including in-plane shear stress accumulation in the diaphragm. The diaphragm is a structural element that conveys lateral loads to the vertical resisting elements of a structure such as shear walls or frames. The scopes of this study are to analyze the function of the slab as the diaphragm and to compare the shear stresses developed in the slab with the shear strength of the slab when there is vertical discontinuity of shear walls. The finite element analysis programs NISA/DISPLAY IV and STAAD.Pro are utilized for the purpose. The slabs with and without discontinued shear wall are compared to investigate the accumulation of shear stress due to the lateral loads and to determine the requirement of shear reinforcement to resist these stresses. The result from the study shows that the slab where the shear wall is terminated, functions as a horizontal shear wall transferring higher shear forces and the shear reinforcement is required.