Optimization of the Reinforcement Positioning in the Squat Reinforcement Concrete Walls

The experimental tests, carried out on the reinforced concrete walls under a horizontal, a cyclic and a seismic loading, have all shown that these RC walls have a more performing behavior when the steel bars are placed according to the direction of the principal stresses. However, these principal stresses are directly connected to an angle of inclination which is often to seek. The intent of this study; is to find the most possible adequate angle of inclination of the diagonal bars in order to improve the mechanical performance of the squat RC walls and also to evaluate the contribution of the diagonal web reinforcement comparing to the conventional web reinforcement. For that, we used a local approach by modeling reinforced concrete walls in 3D requested under a horizontal loading. The numerical model used for the modeling of the concrete is the damageable elastic-plastic model of ABAQUS which makes it possible to visualize the damage at the local level and to determine the mode of rupture. On the other hand, for the bars of steel an elastic-plastic model is used. The results of the simulation in terms of damage, stress and deformation are collected and they put forward the mechanical performance of the reinforcement following the direction of the principal stresses compared to the traditional reinforcement.