Pushover analysis of a reinforced concrete shear wall based on multi-layer shell element

To study the mechanical properties of reinforced concrete shear wall structures under rare earthquakes, pushover analysis of a single reinforced concrete shear wall (12.8 m tall) is presented in this paper, which is simulated by nonlinear multilayer shell element. First of all, it is verified that multi-layer shell element is effective for nonlinear simulation of reinforced concrete shear wall. Subsequently, pushover analysis is presented by inverted triangle lateral load pattern and uniform acceleration lateral load pattern. The relationship between base shear and top displacement of shear wall is obtained for two lateral load patterns. Performance points are calculated by means of ATC-40 capacity spectrum method and FEMA-440 equivalent linearization method respectively. It may be concluded that, nonlinear multi-layer shell element is effective for nonlinear simulation of reinforced concrete shear wall; for same top displacement, the base shear of uniform acceleration lateral load pattern is larger than that of inverted triangle lateral load pattern; for shear wall structure, the performance points calculated by means of ATC-40 capacity spectrum method and FEMA-440 equivalent linearization method are similar.