Numerical simulation of mid-rise concrete shear walls reinforced with GFRP bars subjected to lateral displacement reversals

• Numerical simulation of concrete shear walls reinforced with GFRP bars is reported.
• Coupling between flexure and shear (shear distortion) was evaluated.
• Cyclic analysis of the numerical simulation predicted the experimental results.
• GFRP-reinforced concrete walls achieved acceptable levels of lateral drifts.

This study represents a new step in using the finite-element method (FEM) as a powerful tool to simulate the seismic behavior of shear walls reinforced with glass-fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) reinforcement, which were tested and demonstrated the method’s applicability as a lateral resisting system. The simulation analysis was performed on four large-scale mid-rise reinforced-concrete shear walls—one reinforced with steel bars and three totally reinforced with GFRP bars. Plane-sectional analysis and FE simulation were conducted, capturing the main features of this behavior. The results showed the stability and compliance of the simulation procedures used and provided reasonably accurate simulations of strength and deformation capacity. Shear distortion was evaluated and proved the effectiveness of the elastic behavior of the GFRP bars in controlling and reducing shear effect. These promising results can provide impetus for constructing shear walls reinforced with GFRP bars and constitute a step toward proposing design models for such new lateral-resisting systems.