This paper describes an experimental study on the seismic performance of reinforced concrete shear walls. A series of structural tests was conducted using several types of shear wall specimens: one normal and three specific specimens. One of specific specimens was designed to measure internal forces on the critical section, which identified a structural weak point in this kind of structure. Based on the result, partial strengthening was applied to other specific specimens. Steel jacketing applied only to the structural weak point significantly improved the seismic performance, in particular ductility, compared to the normal specimen.
