Hybrid Simulation Tests of Real-Scale Squat Reinforced Concrete Shear Wall Specimens

Abstract

Squat reinforced concrete shear walls usually have diagonal shear– or sliding shear–controlled behavior. Due to the lack of experimental data, there is uncertainty on how squat wall design parameters define their behavior modes. Two real-scale tests were conducted at ETH Zurich on specimens of equal geometry and reinforcement, but different axial load ratios (ALR), employing hybrid simulation techniques to apply recorded ground-motion excitation in a quasi-dynamic manner. Specimen HSW01 had an ALR of 4.02%, whereas the ALR for Specimen HSW02 was 8%. Specimen HSW01 failed in sliding shear, exhibited a quasi-ductile behavior, developed a peak resistance of 2,730 kN, and reached a displacement corresponding to a 3% drift ratio without losing the ability to carry its axial load. Specimen HSW02 failed in shear diagonal compression and lost the ability to carry its axial load at a horizontal displacement corresponding to a 2% drift ratio and a peak resistance of 3,360 kN. The crack patterns, crack width, and damage progression observed in both tests are presented. Finally, the results were compared with similar specimens tested using a displacement-driven incremental symmetric quasi-static cyclic test protocol. Hybrid simulations using recorded ground-motion excitation did not affect the failure mode of the specimens but allowed them to sustain larger displacements than those tested cyclically.