Title: Interesting Aspects of the Empirical Wall Design Equation

Author(s): K. M. Kripanarayanan

Publication: Journal Proceedings

Volume: 74

Issue: 5

Appears on pages(s): 204-207

Keywords: bearing walls; building codes; compressive strength; eccentricity; loads (forces); reinforced concrete;reinforcing steels; slenderness ratio; stresses; structural analysis;walls.

DOI: 10.14359/11002

Date: 5/1/1977

Abstract:
Chapter 14 of the ACI Building Code (3 18-71) indicates an equation for estimating the capacity of "concentrically" loaded walls having minimum amount of reinforcement. This equation is reviewed historically and evaluated critically with regard to reinforcement, slenderness, and eccentricity con-siderations. It is shown that: (a) the minimum amount of reinforcement required by code has negligible effect on wall capacity, and (b) eccentricity effects are satisfactorily accounted for by the design equation. However, the slenderness provisions of this design equation should be modified to conform to current experimental data.