ABSTRACT
The multiple-vertical-line-element model (MVLEM) has been applied to the inelastic static and dynamic response analysis of structural walls. Three different structural systems (a cantilever wall, a frame-wall building, and a coupled wall) were selected as illustrative examples. A comparison of analytical and experimental results indicates that the MVLEM can successfully predict the inelastic behaviour of all three different types of structural walls. The main advantage of this model is its ability to simulate the shift of the neutral axis (due to the lifting of the tension edge of the wall after yielding) and to take into account the influence of a fluctuating axial force on the strength and stiffness of the wall. Both of these features are particularly important in the case of coupled wall systems. There are, however, several problems which need further investigation. They include (i) the modeling of inelastic shear behaviour, (ii) refinement of the models for vertical springs, (iii) the calibration of the model parameters and (iv) the formulation of a new model for coupling beams.
