Contribution to the Analysis of Coupled Shear Walls

If two similar shear walls are arranged one after the other in the same plane, and are connected by rigid beams, they form a highly indeterminate frame system. Such systems are often used to resist wind forces in slender reinforced concrete structures.This paper presents an approximate method of analysis where a continuous system replaces the discontinuous frame system. Using the method one arrives at simple formulas For the determination of statically redundant values. The method takes into account the shear wall deformations due to normal forces. Beginning with five floors, the accuracy of the results is sufficient for practical application and it increases with a larger number of floors. Charts are presented for the case of two shear walls tied together, having the same rigidity, and subject to a constant linear horizontal force.