SEISMIC ANALYSIS OF REINFORCED MASONRY SHEAR WALLS WITH OPENINGS AT DIFFERENT LEVELS

This paper investigates the accuracy of distributing the total shear force on a wall with openings. The widely used method of dividing the wall into piers and approximating their rigidity using prismatic beam theory is compared to the finite element method. Three walls or models are chosen with the first having openings at the same elevation while the remaining two having openings on different elevations. The results of this study are then presented showing that serious under-estimating of the shear force on the smaller piers can develop. This will normally occur when piers have considerable difference in their relative rigidity and that is usually when the approximate method is used.