Specimen W2-C: Structural wall with a geometric discontinuity subjected to lateral loads

Two walls with an opening (one each) were tested under static lateral loads. The specimens were proportioned to represent structural walls with elevations resembling the shape of upside-down trousers. The load point (see drawings) meant to represent the ground level (referred to as Section S1) and the section 4 ft north of the load point (referred to as Section S2) represented the bottom end of the lower opening. The walls on either side of the opening were referred to as wall legs and were coupled through plates meant to represent the coupling effects of slabs. The region of wall with no opening and bounded by Sections S1 and S2 was referred to as wall podium, and was meant to represent the first-story aboveground. The wall podium segment immediately adjacent to the opening was referred to as panel zone. Both walls had continuous boundary longitudinal reinforcement along their exterior edges. In addition, along each edge of the opening, boundary longitudinal reinforcement was provided. In wall W2-C, this reinforcement was anchored beyond the load point (i.e., in a region intended to represent the foundation). In wall W2-D, this reinforcement was anchored in the wall podium (i.e., region meant to represent the first story). The walls were loaded slowly and in one direction (downwards) first (Trial 2: first pull). After it was judged that each specimen had reached its full strength in that direction, each specimen was rotated 180 degrees about its longitudinal axis and reloaded to failure (Trial 1: Second pull).

NOTE: The order of the trials is switched. The data corresponding to the first pull is stored under Trial 2 and the data of the second pull is stored under Trial 1. The number of the trials cannot be changed on NEEShub.