On the accuracy of the continuum method for analysis of coupled shear walls of unequal width

The continuous medium technique has been widely used in the preliminary analysis and design of coupled shear walls in tall buildings by practising engineers for many years. One of the basic assumptions made when using this approximate method is that the coupling beams deform with points of contraflexure at mid-span. However, when there is a non-negligible difference between the stiffness's of the structural walls connected by the coupling beams, the points of contraflexure of the beams can move off-centre, and hence noticeable error in the analysis may occur. This paper presents a study on the accuracy of the continuous medium technique for the preliminary analysis of concrete coupled structural walls with unequal width. Comparison of the analytical results between the method and the wide-column analogy has been made. Recommendations for using the continuum method to analyse coupled shear walls are presented