Truss Model for Shear Strength of Structural Concrete Walls

Numerous methods for calculating shear strengths of structural
walls are available. However, due to the complexity of wall behaviors
and possible loading combinations that they may be subjected
to, it is quite challenging to derive a method that is reasonably
simple but can accommodate various influencing parameters in
order to acquire more accurate predictions of wall shear strengths.
The authors had earlier tested a series of very-high-strength
concrete wall specimens (fc′ = 100 MPa [14,500 psi]) to investigate
the influence on shear strength of several parameters, such
as: height-to-length ratios, shear (web) reinforcement ratios in
the vertical and horizontal directions, as well as the presence of
flanges (boundary elements). The conclusions of the authors’
experimental study in the light of other research results reported by
other researchers will be summarized herein and will be used as a
guide for deriving a proposed truss model.
The proposed model is based on modern truss analogy principles
(softened truss model, compression field theory) and it has been
shown by comparing it with experimental results to be accurate and
stable. The design and analysis procedure based on the proposed
truss model will also represent an improvement over existing ACI
and Eurocode design procedures.