2007-2008 (MSc)

My master research, conducted under supervision of Prof. Abdolrahim Jalali (University of Tabriz), investigated the effectiveness of a simple macroscopic model in predicting the nonlinear response of slender reinforced concrete shear walls. The model consisted of nonlinear spring elements representing flexural and shear behavior. The model was implemented in ABAQUS 6.6 to allow comparison between experimental and analytical results for several selected test specimens. The numerical model could accurately predict the experimental measurements of the specimens. The parametric studies conducted also showed that the sensitivity of the model results to different modeling parameters was not significant. Nonlinear behavior of the specimens was predicted using a microscopic (FEM) model, as well, which could simulate some important aspects of the wall behavior, but the computation time was considerably greater than that needed for the analysis of the investigated macroscopic model. Taking the computation time and simplicity into account, the observed agreement among three lateral load-displacement curves obtained from experimental measurements, macroscopic and microscopic models of the specimens indicated the efficiency of the investigated macroscopic model. Details of the macro model and the comparison of its efficacy with the capabilities of a finite element modeling approach are presented by Jalali and Dashti (2008, 2010). Figure 1 shows the ultimate deformation pattern prediction of wall specimens that had different shear-span ratios (and therefore different modes of failure) using the macro model investigated in this study.

Figure 1. Prediction of the ultimate deformation pattern of wall specimens with different shear-span ratios