Experimental study of frame-wall interaction in reinforced concrete structures subjected to strong earthquake motions

The response of reinforced concrete structures subjected to earthquake motions was studied. Reinforced concrete model structures were subjected to simulated earthquake motions. Each ten-story structure comprised two frames resisting lateral inertial loads in parallel with one slender structural wall. Geometry of each structure was the same, however, reinforcement was varied according to different concepts of intended behavior. Measurements at each level included accelerations, displacements, and forces resisted by wall. Strength of members was established according to a design method that recognized energy dissipation capabilities of reinforced concrete structures in the nonlinear range of response. A linear analytical model with arbitrarily softened members was used to estimate maximum response.