Design of Concrete Shear Walls

A concrete shear wall is a structural element designed to resist horizontal, or shear, forces parallel to the plane of the wall. Concrete walls are typically structurally efficient, but become more attractive to building designers when they can withstand shear forces.

Components

The design process for concrete shear walls involves identifying the individual components that contribute to the shear resistance of the wall as a whole. Components with the ability to yield to shearing forces are more desirable than those that need to be protected from them.

Forces

The design of concrete shear walls must be based on the functional layout, or basic framework, of the building in which they are installed. Thereafter, the process is repetitious and involves the evaluation of horizontal forces, including those caused by wind or seismic activity.

Considerations

To withstand horizontal and vertical forces, a stable concrete shear wall system must consist of at least three walls arranged so they are not aligned with one another. Typically, the amount of drift of concrete shear walls is limited to 1 percent of their height.

References

• University of Wisconsin-Madison: Development of a Precast Concrete Shear Wall System Requiring Special Code Acceptance
• Structech: Concrete Shear Wall Design