A Study on Optimal Shear Wall Placement in Reinforced Concrete Structures

Abstract

This study investigates the optimal placement of shear walls in reinforced concrete (RC)
structures to enhance seismic performance and structural stability. Through comprehensive
finite element modeling and parametric analysis, various configurations of shear wall locations
were evaluated in multi-story RC buildings. The research employed both linear and non-linear
analysis methods to assess structural behavior under lateral loads. Five different shear wall
configurations were tested: corner placement, peripheral arrangement, core arrangement,
coupled wall systems, and hybrid distributions. Results indicate that peripheral and coupled
wall arrangements provided superior drift control (reduction of 37.8% and 42.3% respectively)
compared to conventional corner placements. The study demonstrates that strategic positioning
of shear walls significantly impacts fundamental period, base shear distribution, and inter-story
drift ratios. Cost-benefit analysis revealed that optimal shear wall placement can reduce
concrete volume requirements by up to 12.5% while maintaining or improving structural
performance. This research provides practical guidelines for structural engineers to optimize
shear wall placement based on building geometry, height, and seismic zone considerations.