ABSTRACT
Coupling beams in coupled shear walls are often the most critical members in tall buildings subject to earthquake or wind loads. To ensure the survival of shear walls under high-intensity cyclic loading, these beams, which normally have limited dimensions, should possess high deformability and good energy absorption while being able to resist large shear forces. Conventional reinforced concrete (RC) coupling beams with longitudinal reinforcement and vertical stirrups for taking flexure and shear forces respectively have been proven unsatisfactory to fulfil the requirements. Brittle failures in the form of diagonal or sliding cracking are often encountered in these beams under seismic loading.
