Stiffness of Coupling Slabs in Shear Wall Buildings

Abstract

<p> In this thesis, a study was made on the coupling effect of floor slabs on the behaviour of shear wall structures . The slab coupled shear walls were analysed by the finite element technique to obtain the bending stiffness. Experimental verification was done on a small scale model of steel walls coupled by a steel slab. Design curves to estimate the stiffness of the various slab coupled wall configurations are presented. In addition, a study was made on the influence of the dimensions and shapes of the walls (plane walls, T-section walls and box core walls), wall openings, and slab dimensions on the effective width and stiffness of the connecting slab.</p>