Comparative Study of State-of-the-Art Macroscopic Models for Planar Reinforced Concrete Walls

Over the past 20 years, a spectrum of analytical models for nonlinear analysis of reinforced concrete (RC) structural walls, with varying capabilities and complexities, have become available for both research and design applications. Five conceptually different state-of-the-art macroscopic models were described, including two-node and four-node elements, based on either a fiber-based representation of a wall cross section or a strut-and-tie approach, using either force-deformation or strain-stress material behavior, and considering either coupled or uncoupled axial/flexural and shear responses. Modeling approaches were validated against experimental data obtained for five RC wall specimens characterized by a range of properties (for example, aspect ratio, axial load, and failure mechanism) to assess current modeling capabilities and identify future research directions. Results presented suggest that the considered analytical models typically overestimate initial wall stiffness, models with uncoupled flexural and shear behavior overestimate lateral capacity of walls where shear deformations are significant, models with shear-flexure interaction can capture nonlinear shear deformations, and that vertical strains within the plastic hinge region can be either overestimated or underestimated by a factor of 2 in the nonlinear response range using the plane sections assumption.