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Expert: - 6/6/2011


Question
Dear Sir,

1.What is the best suitable option to model a concrete wall extending from column to column for basement in ETABS? I have modeled it as a shear wall with support fixed. But some have suggested me to model them as shell elements.

2. same question for a model of lift wall. If i model a shear wall for with columns on four side, i find high stress in columns, so i tried it without columns and assigned as shear wall.

Thank You

Sajeev

Answer
Hi Sajeev,

1. Model it as a shell element, but in any case that will also behave like a shear wall. The base should be fixed, unless you have a very weak foundation or very thin basement slab.

2. You can model it with or without columns, depending on what the actual building will have- by having columns, they act as "boundary members" for shear walls, which is a desireable feature to have in seismic zones. Refer to UBC-97 of ACI-318 codes for more info. Also the ETABS manuals within the software explain this aspect.

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Arshad Khan

Expertise

I can answer any questions to do with civil and structural engineering consultancy and construction industry in East Africa and the Middle East, and specifically with the analysis and design of reinforced concrete structures. My particular expertise is in the aseismic design and optimisation of tall buildings.

Experience

Employment history: 36 years in Construction and consultancy in the UK, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Africa, Somalia, Zambia, Austria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Doha and the U.A.E.

Organizations
.Fellow of Institution of Structural Engineers (UK) .Fellow of Institution of Civil Engineers(UK) .Member of the Institution of Engineers, Kenya .Registered Engineer, ERB, Kenya .Member of the Architectural Association of Kenya (Engineers Chapter) .Chartered Engineer (UK)

Publications
•1984: International Conference on the Art and Practice of Structural Design, London •1994: 3rd Int. Kerensky Conference in Structural Engineering, Singapore •2008: International Conference on High-Rise Towers, Abu Dhabi

Education/Credentials
BSc, 1st Class Hons, in Building Engineering, University of Bath, UK MSc in Concrete Structures and Technology, University of London. Diploma of Imperial College, UK.

Awards and Honors
•Science Congress Special Award (for 2-seater Hovercraft - 1968) •Institution of Civil Engineers Award for outstanding performance at Bath University (1975) •Concrete Society Postgraduate study Bursary Award (1976) •Consular Representative for British High Commission, Nairobi. (1995 to 1998) •Examiner for Institution of Civil Engineers Professional Interviews, Nairobi. (1997 to 1998) •Branch Representative in Vienna for PI assessment for Inst. of Struct. Engrs. (1999 to date)

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