DYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS AND NON-LINEAR BEHAVIOR OF COUPLED SHEAR WALLS

The present paper reports the study performed on the linear dynamic and non-linear static behavior of coupled shear walls. Several finite element (F. E.) models were analyzed to determine the effects of various parameters on the dynamic characteristics of wall systems. The study shows that F. E. frame model can be effectively used for dynamic analysis of coupled shear walls. Nonlinear behavior of coupled shear walls under static lateral load is also investigated. Analyzing four F. E. models, the effects of ultimate strength of connecting beams and piers and lateral load pattern on two important properties of wall systems, i.e., ductility and ultimate strength were studied. It is shown that the ultimate load of a structure can be much grater than its yield load.