Nonlinear macro modeling of slender reinforced concrete shear walls

Reinforced concrete (RC) shear walls are of the most important elements of structures in bearing the lateral seismic loads. The simulation of buildings subjected to earthquake ground motions requires the macro model of the full structure using macro elements. The most prevailing model for RC shear walls is the Fiber model which has become widespread owing to the developments in the software programming. These Fiber models directly use the material stress–strain behavior for the nonlinear modeling of shear walls. Thereby, the material models have considerable influence on the nonlinear response of wall models. However, the computational cost is significant though the model suggests high accuracy. Another well‐known macro model regarding shear walls is Multi‐Vertical Line Element Model (MVLEM) which is a simplified model based on several axial spring elements and one shear spring. This was first adopted based on the behavior model of RC axial elements, in which the approximation depended on the degree of simplification. Then it has developed in such a way that uses the stress–strain behavior directly. In this paper, an experimental data from a cyclic test of a reference shear wall is selected as a benchmark and then the influence of different macro modeling and different constitutive material models are investigated. The results indicate the effect of material behavior and the analytical modeling technique on the accuracy and efficiency of the models.