Addressing Boundary Design for Reinforced Concrete Walls, Based on Studies of the 2010 Chile Earthquake

Abstract eng:
The 2010 Maule Chile Earthquake caused damage to several mid-rise and high-rise concrete wall buildings. Based on observations by reconnaissance teams and similarities between U.S. and Chilean seismic design and construction practices, the National Institute of Standards and Technology recognized the unique opportunity to investigate the observed performance of buildings subjected to strong ground shaking, and to identify lessons for improving design and construction of reinforced concrete buildings. The project was conducted by the Applied Technology Council (ATC-94 project) with participation from engineers and researchers from the United States and Chile. Project objectives are to: (1) evaluate critical issues in the design of reinforced concrete walls; and (2) develop recommendations for improving wall design requirements. Findings address: • Unintended coupling of walls (such as through slabs and beams) • Buckling of longitudinal (vertical) reinforcement and the extent of “buckling-restraint” ties needed over the length of the wall • Area of concrete (thickness of wall) and amount of hoops and cross-ties needed in cases with high compression demand • Overall wall buckling • Damage to configurations with solid wall below (or above) a series of vertically-aligned openings, and configurations with “flag-shaped” walls where the length of wall is reduced at the lower stories compared to the upper stories • Pier-spandrel systems and capacity design for strong-pier weak-spandrel behavior

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