Three-Parameter Kinematic Theory for Shear-Dominated Reinforced Concrete Walls: Implementation

The tree-parameter kinematic theory (3PKT) is aimed at addressing the need for physically accurate and computationally effective models for predicting the response of shear-dominated reinforced concrete walls. The theory is based on a three-degree-of-freedom kinematic model for the deformation patterns in walls with aspect ratios smaller than approximately 3. In the kinematic model the wall is divided into two parts - a rigid block and a fan of struts - by a diagonal crack. The mechanisms of shear resistance across this crack are modelled with non-linear springs to capture the pre- and post- peak shear behavior of the member. The base section of the wall is also modelled to account for yielding of the reinforcement and crushing of the concrete. The complete formulation of the 3PKT is presented in an ASCE Journal of Structural Engineering paper by Mihaylov, Hannewald and Beyer. The attached Matlab code represents an implementation of the 3PKT for time-efficient computation of the response of shear-dominated walls. The limits of applicability of the 3PKT and the code are defined in the ASCE paper.