Abstract
Reinforced concrete multi-story structural walls supported on pile foundations are commonly designed assuming that they stand on solid foundation without considering their interaction. In this study, parametric studies with a two-dimensional finite element model were conducted in order to simulate their seismic-force-resisting mechanisms. The numerical model was first calibrated using the experimental data on three-story structural wall with pile foundation. The main analytical variable was the amount of upper longitudinal reinforcement in the foundation beam. Failure modes, deformation capacity and damage process of the numerical models varied depending on whether the upper longitudinal reinforcement in the foundation beam yielded in tension or not. The procedure for calculating moment acting on the foundation beams in the flexural ultimate state of the structural walls was established.
