Paper17 - Dynamic amplification of isolated shear walls: Insights from layered shell modeling

Summary: New paper published in Engineering Structures on dynamic shear amplification in reinforced concrete shear walls using high-fidelity layered shell finite element models.

This paper investigates dynamic shear amplification factors in reinforced concrete wall systems subjected to seismic ground motions. Using layered shell elements, a comprehensive parametric analysis was performed with approximately 1460 numerical models, of which 343 satisfied convergence and capacity criteria.

Key findings: - Dynamic shear amplification factors range from 1.0 to 2.75 - Maximum amplification in taller walls under low axial load ratio (0.10 fc′Ag) - High axial load ratios (0.30 fc′Ag) reduce peak amplification to ~1.5 - Normalized position of resultant lateral force is the best predictor - Results agree reasonably with ACI 318-25 formulations

Citation: Patricio Palacios B., Nicolás Mora Bowen, Rafael Delpiano, José A. Abell. Dynamic amplification of isolated shear walls: Insights from layered shell modeling. Engineering Structures, Volume 358, 1 July 2026, 122641. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2026.122641