ADDIS ABABA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES

RESEARCH PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT

IDENTIFICATION

Name : ABRHAM EWNETIE

AND
ROBEL MERESSA

Faculty : TECHNOLOGY

Department : CIVIL ENGINEERING

Major : STRUCTURE

Instructor : HABTAMU (Dr)

Title of Thesis: Effect of Structural wall configuration on seismic

performance of Reinforced concrete buildings
1. SUMMARY

Structural walls in buildings can have different geometric configuration, orientation, and location
within the plane of the building. The positions of the structural walls within a building are
usually dictated by functional requirements. However this arbitrary configuration of structural
walls, dictated by architectural reasons, might affect the seismic performance of the building by
introducing torsion responses. In this paper we shall try to prepare a model with ETABS
software to analyze and compare the results for different configurations of the structural wall.
The best configuration of structural walls for better seismic performance will be proposed.
Key words: Structural walls, ETABS, configuration
2. INTRODUCTION

Structural analysis is the process of determining the response of a structure due to specified
loading; and structural design is the process of proportioning structures under loads in order to
satisfy essential requirements of function, safety, economy, and aesthetics. Concrete shear walls
or structural walls are often used in multistory buildings to resist lateral loads such as wind,
seismic and blast loads. Such walls are used when the frame system alone is insufficient or
uneconomical to withstand all the lateral loads or when partition walls can be made load bearing,
replacing columns and beams. Structural walls in buildings can have different geometric
configuration, orientation, and location within the plane of the building. The positions of the
structural walls within a building are usually dictated by functional requirements. These may or
may not suit structural planning; the purpose of a building and the consequent allocation of floor
space may dictate arrangements of walls that can often be readily utilized for lateral force
resistance. Building sites, architectural interests, or clients’ desires may lead, on the other hand,
to positions of walls that are undesirable from a structural point of view
However this arbitrary configuration of structural walls, dictated by architectural reasons, might
affect the seismic performance of the building by introducing torsion responses. This is because
the seismic load actually passes through the mass center of the building and the arbitrary located
structural walls might pull the stiffness center away from the mass center.
Thus in this paper we shall try to investigate the effects of arbitrarily locating structural walls,
simply from functional point of view without considering their structural response.

3. OBJECTIVES

General objective

 To assess the seismic performance of buildings under different configuration of shear

walls
Specific Objectives
 To indicate the extent of shear wall configuration problem.
 To identify the best configuration of structural walls for better seismic performance.
4. LITERATURE REVIEW

Shear wall is a structural element used to resist lateral/horizontal/shear forces parallel to the plane of
the wall by:
1. Cantilever action for slender walls where the bending deformation is dominant
2. Truss action for squat/short walls where the shear deformation is dominant
Shear walls function by working as a large vertical cantilever which has the ability to resist large
seismic forces. They can be very efficient in resisting horizontal loads and generally provide strength
much more economically than a frame structure.
Over the past few years shear walls have become the primary design feature for tall buildings and an
important one in smaller ones. They act as very deep beams which carry loads in shear in addition to
bending and so do not suffer from the same deflections as a basic design without shear walls [2]

Generally, in choosing suitable location for lateral–force-resisting structural walls, three structural
aspects should be considered.
1. For the best torsion resistance, as many of the walls as possible should be located at the periphery
of the building
2. The more gravity load can be routed to the foundations via a structural wall, the less will be the
demand for flexural reinforcement in that wall and the more readily can foundations be provided to
absorb the overturning moments generated in that wall[1].
3. In multistory buildings situated in high-seismic-risk areas, a concentration of the total lateral force
resistance in only one or two structural walls is likely to introduce very large forces to the foundation
structure, so that special enlarged foundations may be required.

4. METHODS

The objective of the research will be achieved in accordance with the methodology outlined
below.

I . Literature review: All existing literatures about configuration of structural wall shall be
reviewed.

II . Model Preparation: A model shall be prepared with ETABS software to analyze and
compare the results for different configurations of the structural wall.
5. WORK PLAN

The work shall be conducted in accordance with the following schedule. It can be
updated during the work and may shorten the total time needed for the completion
of the thesis.

October November December

Duration
No Activity Week Week Week
in weeks
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

1 Literature survey 5
Modeling of the
2 structure 1

Analyzing the different

3 possible orientations 1

4 Compare the outputs 2

Conclusions &
5 recommendations 1

6 Writing and editing 2

6. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Consulting firms can benefit from the output of this research work.
 It will increase awareness of practicing architects and structural engineers about
configuration of shear walls.
 It will thus avoid arbitrarily locating shear walls in buildings.
 7. COST OF THE PROJECT

Itemized listing of the costs involved in the thesis, costs which should
normally be borne by the faculty.

Item Cost
(Birr)
Books, Journals, Programming language 1500.00

Stationery items, Photocopy, printing 1500.00

Flash Disk and other removable storage 800.00

disks
Research paper printing & publication 850.00

Total 4650.00

Note: The above costs do not include accidental costs (contingency).

8. REFERENCES

1. Paulay & M.J.N. Priestley, “Seismic Design of Reinforced Concrete & Masonry
Buildings”, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1992.
2. W.F. Chen (Ed), Structural Engineering Hand Book, CRC Press, LLC, 1999. Das, B. M,