Seismic behaviour of post-tensioned concrete shear wall: a review

Shear walls are specifically meant to withstand lateral forces exerted by either wind or earthquake loads on a structure. Due to their superior strength and stiffness, shear walls have been an integral feature of mid-rise and high- rise structures over the past two decades. Various studies have been performed in this field. Usage of post-tensioned tendons in the traditional shear wall is one of the major advancements in recent times so as to increase the stiffness and reduce the damage incurred by destructive earthquakes. The key advantage of post-tensioned shear walls is the potential to re-centre after a devastating earthquake which is lacking in conventional reinforced concrete (RC) shear walls that rely on yielding creating large deformations. Moreover, compared with conventional shear wall construction, post-tensioned shear walls can reduce the use of vertical mild steel reinforcement. This results in materials being used more effectively and eliminates congestion. This paper seeks to review and analyze the research studies based on post- tensioned shear wall focusing on works published within the last decade. Firstly, the benefits of using post-tensioned shear walls in seismically active areas are illustrated. The behaviour and parameters controlling the performance of post-tensioned shear walls are then studied. A critical study of the factors responsible for the performance of post- tensioned shear wall is the primary objective of this review. Keywords- Shear Wall, Post-Tensioning, Energy-Dissipation, Self-Centering