Elastoplastic Analysis of Coupled Shear Walls

A stepwise linear elastoplastic analysis method, based on the wide column frame analogy, is presented for the analysis of coupled shear walls. Assuming the plastic hinge concept and a bilinear moment-rotation relationship for all members, the analysis enables the collapse load, load factor at each plastic hinge formation, and the ductility requirement of each hinge throughout the loading process, from working to ultimate load, to be determined. For any adopted practical limiting value of the ductility factor of the members, the analysis yields the corresponding maximum permissible applied load, the extent of plastification in the structure, and the amount of plastic rotation required at each story level in the plastified zone.