RC structural walls under cyclic loading - Experimental verification of code overestimation of transverse reinforcement reduction potentials

In the present study a shear wall of 1.7 m length, 1.7 m height and 0.15 m
width was designed, in compliance with the Greek Code for Reinforced Concrete (GCRC) and the Compressive Force Path method (CFP). The 1.7 m long wall, designed according to the current GCRC was constructed and tested under cyclic loading, applied in two phases. Under the first one, the specimen reached a displacement of 38.5 mm and a load of 710 kN and under the second one, the maximum displacement was 72 mm and the load 675 kN. It was concluded that the load carrying capacity of the wall was 25% greater than the design value estimated by the GCRC. The experimental value of uncracked stiffness was ¼ of the value delivered according to the GCRC. The ductility of the specimen was 3.3 in the first phase of the testing procedure (uncracked state) while in the second (first crack had occurred) was 6.2. The widest and longest crack was formed at the base of the wall, where predicted. Moreover, the steel structure used for the experiment remained flexible, notwithstanding alterations made. The comparison of the wall reinforcement designed according to the GCRC and the CFP showed that the latter method demands less amount of transverse reinforcement to achieve the same objectives as the former.