UNIVERSIDAD POLITÉCNICA

DE CATALUÑA
ESCUELA SUPERIOR TÉCNICA DE INGENIEROS DE
a CAMINOS, CANALES Y PUERTOS

BUILDING STRUCTURES
ASSIGNMENT No2: EXERCISE ON BUILDINGS STIFFENED
WITH REINFORCED CONCRETE SHEAR WALLS

Program: Master en Ingeniería Estructural y de la

Construcción

Student: Juan Marcelo Vera Salas

Responsible professor: Molins Borrell Climent

Barcelona, April 2018

BUILDING STRUCTURES 2

No 1: EXERCISE ON BUILDINGS STIFFENED WITH

REINFORCED CONCRETE SHEAR WALLS

A building having a square floor plan has been designed with a system of
reinforced concrete shear walls in order to resist horizontal actions. The structural
plan of the building is shown in the CAD file. The shear walls have a thickness of
40 cm.
The gravity loads on the building are the self-weight (floor slabs with self-weight
of 5 kN/m2 ), pavement and partition walls (1.5 kN/m2), and a distributed live
load of 3 kN/m2.
The height between stories is of 3 m for all stories. This height corresponds to the
vertical distance between the mid-surface of the floor slabs.
The number of stories is different for each student. The arrangement of the walls
is a result of the architectural design and it is shown in the CAD file. The length of
the wall number 1X is different for each student. The number of stories and the
length of wall 1 are given in the “List of parameters” document.
The shear walls will be built with a concrete with characteristic compressive
strength of 30MPa and Young modulus of 30,000 MPa and Poisson coefficient of
0.15. The steel to be used for the reinforcement has a characteristic yielding limit
of 500 MPa.

Questions:
Analyze the effect of wind action on the building. For that purpose, assume an
equivalent wind total load of 1.2 kN/m2 on the surface perpendicular to the wind
direction. The effect of wind has to be considered in both directions X and Y
separately.
Specifically, answer to the following questions:
1. Compute the forces on each wall produced by the wind acting in X and Y
directions, separately. Indicate the values in a drawing (a drawing for force
in X direction and another one for force in Y direction).
It is strongly recommended to verify that the sum of forces and moments
produced by the shear walls balance the forces and moment globally
applied on the structure.
2. Define the reinforcement at the base of the wall number 1X, taking into
account that the wall supports the weight corresponding to a surface 60 m2
in each floor slab. Draw a sketch of the cross section of the wall with the
reinforcement.
3. Compute the maximum horizontal displacements and the twist at the top of
the building when wind is acting in X direction and when wind is acting in Y
direction.
4. Discuss the adequacy of the shear wall system. Are the horizontal movements
computed at the top of the building adequate? Why?
5. Check if the building can be considered as non-sway in any direction,
according to the article 43.1.1 of the Spanish code EHE-08.

J.M. Vera Salas

BUILDING STRUCTURES 3

NOTES
NOTE 1 – An adequate combination of actions has to be considered taking into
account that gravity forces may be favorable in the calculation of wind effects.

NOTE 2 – A summary of results will be presented using and delivering the excel
template prepared for this purpose

NOTE 3 – Use the following designation to identify the shear walls in the drawings
(see drawing).

F2x F3x F3y

F2y

F1x

F1y F4y

Data summary
Square floor plan with concrete shear walls

Loads:

• The self-weight (floor slabs with self-weight of 5 kN/m2)

• Live load of 3 kN/m2
• pavement and partition walls (1.5 kN/m2)
• Equivalent wind Total load of 1.2 kN/m2 in both directions separately

Code

• EHE-08 Instrucción de Hormigón estructural

• Documento Básico SE-AE

Geometry

• The height between stories is of 3 m for all stories

• Shear walls whit a thickness of 40 cm

J.M. Vera Salas

 BUILDING STRUCTURES 4

Characteristics of the material

• Concrete with 30MPA of compressive strength

• Young modulus of 30,000 MPa
• Poisson coefficient of 0.15
• Rebar Steel has yielding limit of 500MPa

Special Requirements

• Number of floors 22
• Length wall X1 = 6.75m

Development
Question N°1: Compute the forces on each wall produced by the wind
acting in X and Y directions, separately. Indicate the values in a drawing (a
drawing for force in X direction and another one for force in Y direction).
It is strongly recommended to verify that the sum of forces and moments
produced by the shear walls balance the forces and moment globally
applied on the structure.
Calculate the center of Rigidity:

With:

𝑏 ∗ ℎ3 3 ∗ 𝐸𝐼
𝐼= 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐾 =
12 𝐿3
The Stiffness of shear of the walls can be negligible h>3b, I assume coordinates
axes for the calculate (see Figure 1).

• Family in Horizontal direction: FX1, FX2 and FX3

• Family in Vertical direction: FY1, FY2, FY3 and FY4
Table 1: Calculate of Stiffness center

N° thickness Length H Xi(m) Yi(m) E Ixx Iyy Kxx Kyy Xi*K Yi*K
Wall (m) (m) (m) (kN/m2) (m4) (m4) (Kn/m) (kN/m)
FY1 0,40 5,40 66,00 0,0 2,5 30000000 5,25 1643,13 0,00
FY2 0,40 5,40 66,00 0,0 17,5 30000000 5,25 1643,13 0,00
FY3 0,40 5,40 66,00 30,0 17,5 30000000 5,25 1643,13 49293,76
FY4 0,40 5,40 66,00 30,0 2,5 30000000 5,25 1643,13 49293,76
FX1 0,40 6,75 66,00 15,0 10,0 30000000 10,25 3209,23 32092,29
FX2 0,40 4,00 66,00 6,0 20,0 30000000 2,13 667,84 13356,71
FX3 0,40 4,00 66,00 24,0 20,0 30000000 2,13 667,84 13356,71
∑ 4544,90 6572,5 98587,53 58805,71

∑ 𝑋𝑖 ∗ 𝐾
𝑥= = 15,00𝑚
∑ 𝐾𝑦𝑦
∑ 𝑌𝑖 ∗ 𝐾
𝑦= = 12,94𝑚
∑ 𝐾𝑥𝑥

J.M. Vera Salas

BUILDING STRUCTURES 5

Figure 1: Coordinate axes

Calculate of force at each wall

First, we calculate the polar inertia with (see Table2):

𝐼𝑃 = ∑ 𝑦 2 ∗ 𝐾𝑥 + ∑ 𝑥 2 ∗ 𝐾𝑦 [1]

Table 2:The Polar inertia

N° Wall Xi Yi Kxx (kN/m) Kyy (kN/m) xi2*Ky yi2*Kx

FY1 -15 1643,13 369703,23
FY2 -15 1643,13 369703,23
FY3 15 1643,13 369703,23
FY4 15 1643,13 369703,23
FX1 -2,94 3209,23 27739,30
FX2 7,06 667,84 33287,32
FX3 7,06 667,84 33287,32
Ip (kN*m) = xi2*Ky+ yi2*Kx= 1573126,86 ∑ 1478812,92 94313,93

J.M. Vera Salas

BUILDING STRUCTURES 6

Calculate the total Horizontal force and the torsional moment in Table 3.
Table 3:Force of wind

x y
Total, h 66 66
width 30 20
Area 1980 1320
F wind 1,2 1,2
Fw(x) 1584
Fw(y) 2376
dis(Centro) 0 2,94
M (kN*m) 0 4655,11

In the Table 4 and 5 we calculate the forces with this equation:

[1]

Table 4: Calculate of force at each wall I

N° Fx Fy Kxx Kyy x' y' M Ip

Wall (kN/m) (kN/m)
FY1 1643,13 -15,00
FY2 1643,13 -15,00
FY3 0,00 2376,00 1643,13 15,00
FY4 1643,13 15,00 4655,11 1573126,85
FX1 3209,23 -2,94
FX2 1584,00 0,00 667,84 7,06
FX3 667,84 7,06
∑ 4544,90 6572,50
Table 5:Force at each wall

N° Wall Fwx (kN) Fwy (kN)

FY1 -72,93 594,00
FY2 -72,93 594,00
FY3 72,93 594,00
FY4 72,93 594,00
FX1 1146,40 0,00
FX2 218,80 0,00
FX3 218,80 0,00
∑ 1584,00 2376,00

In the Figure 2 and 3 we indicate the values for force in X direction and another
one for force in Y direction:

J.M. Vera Salas

BUILDING STRUCTURES 7

Figure 2:Force at each wall on Y direction

Figure 3:Force at each wall on X direction

Verification of condition of equilibrium:

∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0 → 1584.0 − 218.80 − 218.80 − 1146.40 = 0

∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0 → 2376.0 − 594.0 − 594.0 − 594.0 − 594.0 = 0

∑ 𝑀 = 0 → 4655.11 − 72.93 ∗ 15 − 72.93 ∗ 15 − 72.93 ∗ 15 − 72.93 ∗ 15 − 1146.40

∗ 2.94 + 218.80 ∗ 7.06 + 218.80 ∗ 7.06 = −1.35 ≈ 0

Note: The verification of the Summation of moments in excel tables with all the
decimals give 0.

J.M. Vera Salas

BUILDING STRUCTURES 8

Question N°2: Define the reinforcement at the base of the wall number 1X,
taking into account that the wall supports the weight corresponding to a
surface 60 m2 in each floor slab. Draw a sketch of the cross section of the wall
with the reinforcement.
Calculate the Force on the Wall 1X
With area of influence we can calculate the axial Loads at the base on the
Wall 1X (see Table 6) and calculate the moment as cantilever beam, then we
apply the safety coefficients (see Figure 4):
Table 6: Loads on the Wall 1X

Area of influence per floor 60 m2

Number of floors 22
Density of H°A° 25 kN/m3
Dead Loads
Self-weight (floor slabs) 5 kN/m2
Self-weight (Wall per floor) 202,5 kN
Others dead loads 1,5 kN/m2
Dead Loads at the base 13035 kN
Live Loads 3 kN/m2
Live Loads at the Base 3960 kN
Wind Load on the Wall 1146,40 kN
Wind Load on the Wall per M 17,37 kN*m

Figure 4: Safety coefficients [3]

𝐴𝑥𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐵𝑎𝑠𝑒(𝑓𝑎𝑣𝑜𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒) = 13035 ∗ 0.9 + 3960 ∗ 0 = 11731.5 𝑘𝑁

66
𝑀𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐵𝑎𝑠𝑒(𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑓𝑎𝑣𝑜𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒) = 17.37 ∗ 1.5 ∗ 66 ∗ = 56747.79 𝑘𝑁. 𝑚
2
𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐵𝑎𝑠𝑒(𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑓𝑎𝑣𝑜𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒) = 17.37 ∗ 1.5 ∗ 66 = 1719.63 𝑘𝑁

J.M. Vera Salas

BUILDING STRUCTURES 9

Design of the Reinforcement

For calculate the reinforcement, we use the program schedule provided in the
system of the course.

Bending Reinforcement (see Figure 5):

Figure 5: Calculate of bending Reinforcement

As min> As 75.60 cm2 for both sides of the wall, assume 10 Ø 32mm.(80.43cm2)

For shrinkage calculate with amount of As =0.0009 Area = 24.13 Ø 10 c/ 20cm for
each face

J.M. Vera Salas

BUILDING STRUCTURES 10

Shear Reinforcement (see Figure 6 and 7):

Figure 6: Calculate of the shear Reinforcement I

J.M. Vera Salas

BUILDING STRUCTURES 11

Figure 7: Calculate of the shear Reinforcement II

The As necessary < As min of shear stress, we assume Ø 10 c/ 25cm. for better
confinement and ductility.

With the verification of arming rules of the EHE code. We define the sketch of the
cross section of the wall with the reinforcement (see Figure 8):

Figure 8: Sketch of the cross section (Units in cm)

J.M. Vera Salas

BUILDING STRUCTURES 12

Question N°3: Compute the maximum horizontal displacements and the twist
at the top of the building when wind is acting in X direction and when wind is
acting in Y direction.
For calculate of the horizontal displacements of the building, we use the
formulation of movement of the floor exposed in the class slides (Figure 9).

Figure 9: Horizontal movement of a Floor [1]

We calculate the deformation of the building in the center of rigidity at the last floor (see
Table 7) as a cantilever beam:
𝑞 ∗ 𝐿4
𝑈=
8 ∗ 𝐸𝐼
Table 7: Building Deformation

All building deformation WIND Dir X WIND Dir Y

Q w (kN) 1584 2376
Q w/m (kN.m) 24 36
L (m) 66 66
E (kN/m2) 30000000 30000000
∑Iyy,xx (m4) 14,52 21,00
Ux ,Vy (m) 0,131 0,136
C.R.x' 15,131 15,000
C.R.y' 12,939 13,074
Then we calculate the Deformation of the Wall FX1 (Table 8):
Table 8: Deformation of the Wall FX1

Deformation of Wall FX1 WIND Dir X WIND Dir Y

Q w (kN) 1146,40 0,00
Q w/m (kN.m) 17,37 0
L (m) 66 66
E (kN/m2) 30000000 30000000
Iyy,xx (m4) 10,25 0,00
x ,y (m) 0,134 0,000
FX1 X' 15,134 15,000
FX1 Y' 10,000 10,000

J.M. Vera Salas

BUILDING STRUCTURES 13

With the both deformation at the same floor and the equation of the formulation
of movement of the floor, we calculate the Twist and the maximum horizontal
displacements for both direction of the wind (Table 9):

[1]

15.134 − 15.131 15.00 − 15.00

𝜙0′ = tan−1 ( ) = 0.064 ; 𝜙0′ = tan−1 ( )=0
12.939 − 10.0 13.074 − 10.0

Table 9: Maximum displacements and Twist

WIND Dir X WIND Dir Y

Ф0l (grades) 0,064 0
Umax, Vmax (m) 0,134 0,136

Question 4: Discuss the adequacy of the shear wall system. Are the horizontal
movements computed at the top of the building adequate? Why?
The wall system proposed for this building have very positive consideration about
lateral force, the walls are arranged perpendicular to one another and distribute
symmetrically away from the stiffness center mostly, this system works well for
lateral force of both direction and the twist, keeping the center of rigidity close
to mass center. But the arrangement of the Walls in X direction with a wall in the
center produced that this support the most of the load of lateral force and
gravity force and control de stiffness center. If we want to distribute better the
force we could add walls at the other end.

The horizontal displacement of both direction at the top, they are not totally
adequate for the structural integrity and the constructive elements, if compare
whit the permit deformation Technical building code Art 4.3.3.2:
𝐿 66
𝑓𝑚𝑎𝑥 < , = 0.132𝑚
500 500

0.132m< 0.134m and 0.136m

The displacement is very close that the fmax but its more on both direction this
can bring problems of second order efforts that must be analyzed.

Question 5: Check if the building can be considered as non-sway in any

direction, according to the article 43.1.1 of the Spanish code EHE-08.
According the Article 43.1.1 we verify the condition as non- Sway with the next
expression:
𝑛 ∑ 𝐸𝐼
𝑁𝑑 ≤ 𝑘1 ; 𝐸𝑞 [2]
𝑛 + 1.6 ℎ2

J.M. Vera Salas

BUILDING STRUCTURES 14

Calculate of the vertical load Nd (see Table 10):

Table 10:Vertical Loads of the Building

Area of influence per floor 600 m2

Number of floors 22
Density of H°A° 25 kN/m3
Dead Loads
Self-weight (floor slabs) 5 kN/m2
Self-weight (Walls per floor) 1090,50 kN
Others dead loads 1,5 kN/m2
Dead Loads at the base 109791 kN
Live Loads 3 kN/m2
Live Loads at the Base 39600 kN
1,35 dead Loads+1,5 Live Loads (Nd) 207617,85 kN

Condition Torsional stiffness:

Table 11: Torsional stiffness

Dir X Dir Y
k1 0,62
n 22
h (m) 66
E (kN/m2) 30000000
∑Iyy, xx (m4) 14,52 21,00
∑EI 435546875 629856000
Eq [2] (kN) 57789,56 83571,03

(207617.85𝑘𝑁) > 57789.56 𝑘𝑁 𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑠𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑖𝑛 𝑋 𝑑𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

(207617.85𝑘𝑁) > 57789.56 𝑘𝑁 𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑠𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑖𝑛 𝑌 𝑑𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

According to the article 43.1.1 of the Spanish code EHE-08 the structure not can
be considered non-sway in any direction.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
[1] E. T. S. Camins, C. I. P. D. E. Barcelona, and B. Structures, “STIFFNESS PLANES,”

[2] Gobierno de España,“Instrucción de Hormigon Estucturas EHE-08”,2011.

[3] Gobierno de España, “Documento Base SE- AE Seguridad Estructural,

Acciones en la Edificación,” Boletín Of. del Estado, pp. 1–42, 2009.

J.M. Vera Salas