What's the best way to design a concrete shear wall for wind loading?

1 Wind pressure

The first step is to calculate the wind pressure on the structure, which depends on the wind speed, exposure category, building height, shape, and orientation. You can use the ASCE 7-16 standard or a similar code to find the wind coefficients and factors that apply to your case. The wind pressure is then multiplied by the tributary area of the wall to obtain the wind force. You should also consider the wind direction and the effects of openings, corners, and parapets on the wind pressure distribution.

2 Wall thickness

The next step is to choose the wall thickness, which affects the stiffness, strength, and cost of the wall. The wall thickness should be sufficient to resist the wind force without excessive deflection or cracking. A general rule of thumb is to use a wall thickness of 0.01 to 0.02 times the wall height, but you should also check the code requirements and the structural analysis results. The wall thickness should also be compatible with the architectural and functional aspects of the building.

3 Wall reinforcement

The third step is to design the wall reinforcement, which consists of vertical and horizontal bars that provide tensile strength and ductility to the wall. The wall reinforcement should be designed according to the ACI 318-19 code or a similar standard, which specifies the minimum and maximum reinforcement ratios, spacing, anchorage, and detailing. The wall reinforcement should also be coordinated with the floor and roof slabs, columns, and beams that connect to the wall.

4 Serviceability requirements

The fourth step is to check the serviceability requirements, which ensure the performance and durability of the wall under normal service conditions. The serviceability requirements include the limits on deflection, cracking, and vibration of the wall. You can use the code provisions or empirical formulas to estimate the deflection and cracking of the wall under wind loading. You should also consider the effects of temperature, shrinkage, creep, and moisture on the wall behavior.

5 Strength requirements

The final step is to check the strength requirements, which ensure the safety and reliability of the wall under extreme loading conditions. The strength requirements include the ultimate capacity and ductility of the wall. You can use the code equations or the nonlinear analysis methods to calculate the ultimate capacity of the wall under combined axial and shear forces. You should also verify that the wall can deform without losing its integrity and stability, which is measured by the drift ratio and the curvature ductility.