Open Access

REVIEW

Seismic Behavior of Squat Reinforced Concrete Shear Walls: A State-of-the-Art Review

Ahed Habib^1,*, Zaid A. Al-Sadoon², Murat Saatcioglu³, Ausamah Al Houri⁴, Mohamed Maalej², Salah Al-Toubat², Mazen Shrif²

1 Research Institute of Sciences and Engineering, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates
2 Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates
3 Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
4 Department of Civil Engineering, Near East University, Nicosia, 99138, Cyprus

* Corresponding Author: Ahed Habib. Email:

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring 2025, 19(3), 417-439. https://doi.org/10.32604/sdhm.2025.059524

Received 10 October 2024; Accepted 18 December 2024; Issue published 03 April 2025

Abstract

Squat reinforced concrete (RC) shear walls are essential structural elements in low-rise buildings, valued for their high strength and stiffness. However, research on their seismic behavior remains limited, as most studies focus on tall, slender walls, which exhibit distinct failure mechanisms and deformation characteristics. This study addresses this gap by conducting an extensive review of existing research on the seismic performance of squat RC shear walls. Experimental studies, analytical models, and numerical simulations are examined to provide insights into key factors affecting wall behavior during seismic events, including material properties, wall geometry, reinforcement detailing, and loading conditions. The review aims to support safer design practices by identifying current knowledge gaps and offering guidance on areas needing further investigation. The findings are expected to aid researchers and practitioners in refining seismic design codes, ultimately contributing to the development of more resilient squat RC shear walls for earthquake-prone regions. This research underscores the importance of improving structural resilience to enhance the safety and durability of buildings.

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Keywords

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