Structure-Structure Interaction in the Reinforced Concrete Frames-Wall

Reinforced concrete frame-wall (RC frame-Wall) structures are generally solved in a global manner by modeling the entire structure by assembling the RC frame and wall stiffness matrices into a global matrix. The bar-wall element interface is modeled at the mean line of the beam-column element, according to RPA 99, which limits the interaction to the axial and transverse components of the forces (mechanical and kinematic) thus neglecting the effects of section rotations.

In order to take into account, the rotational components of the mechanical behavior of the beams (section rotation and bending moment), the interaction between the RC frame and the wall must take place at the real interface of the two substructures, i.e. at the extreme fiber of the bar elements (beams and columns). The transmission of force from the wall to the RC frame is done by transforming the tangent stresses of the wall into moment in the beam.