Seismic Performances of Multi-storey Residential Building with and without RCC Shear Wall Structure with ACC Block

Abstract

This study investigates the comparative seismic performance of a multi-storey residential building constructed with Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (ACC) block infill, analyzed both with and without reinforced cement concrete (RCC) shear walls. ACC blocks, known for their lightweight and thermal efficiency, significantly influence the mass and lateral stiffness of a structure, thereby affecting its seismic response. In this research, a typical multi-storey residential building model is developed and evaluated using standard seismic design provisions.

Introduction

India lies in a seismically active region, making earthquake-resistant design critical for multi-storey residential buildings. Seismic performance refers to a structure’s ability to withstand earthquake-induced forces and minimize damage. Factors affecting seismic response include building height, stiffness, material properties, weight distribution, and architectural design.

Literature Insights:

• Shear walls significantly enhance lateral resistance and reduce inter-storey drift in high-rise RCC buildings.

• Placement (corner vs. center) and thickness of shear walls affect seismic performance.

• Retrofitting buildings without shear walls with bracing systems (X, K, V-bracing) improves earthquake resilience.

• Performance-based seismic design (PBSD) is essential for tall buildings to ensure safety, stability, and durability.

Research Objectives:

1. Ensure structural safety and stability under seismic loads.

2. Evaluate building performance during earthquakes.

3. Check durability, economic feasibility, and maintainability.

4. Compare multi-storey buildings with and without shear walls.

Methodology:

• Dynamic analysis is conducted using Response Spectrum Analysis (RSA) in ETABS Ultimate 21.1.0.

• Two models are created: one without shear walls and one with shear walls.

• RSA evaluates a structure’s response across various ground motion frequencies to predict dynamic behavior during earthquakes.

Building Details:

• Location: Assam, India; Type: RCC framed structure; Stories: G+5; Plan: 42 × 23 m.

• Floor heights range from 1 m (foundation) to 3.75 m (ground to first floor).

• Soil: medium; Seismic zone: V; Zone factor: 0.36; Response reduction factor: 5.

Analysis Parameters:

• Base shear in X and Y directions

• Maximum story drift and displacement in X and Y directions

• Torsion, time period, and story stiffness

The study provides a comparative understanding of how shear walls improve seismic resilience, reduce lateral displacement, and enhance the overall structural stability of multi-storey buildings in earthquake-prone regions.

Conclusion

From this study we have so many conclusions which is following: 1) The change in maximum story displacement in x direction is 25-50 mm in compare of with shear wall or without shear wall. 2) The change in maximum story displacement in y direction is 50-60 mm in compare of with shear wall or without shear wall. 3) The change in maximum story drift in x direction is 0.01-0.013 in compare of with shear wall or without shear wall. 4) The change in maximum story drift in y direction is 0.008-0.0113 in compare of with shear wall or without shear wall. 5) The torsion present in first mode and second mode in without shear wall model while torsion is not present in with shear wall model. 6) The change in maximum story stiffness in x direction is 100000-110000 KN/m in compare of with shear wall or without shear wall. 7) The change in maximum story stiffness in y direction is 200000-250000 KN/m in compare of with shear wall or without shear wall. 8) The base shear of multistorey building with shear wall in x-direction is 4900 KN/m while. The base shear of multistorey building without shear wall in x-direction is 5400 KN. 9) The base shear of multistorey building with shear wall in y-direction is 5125 KN/m while. The base shear of multistorey building without shear wall in x-direction is 5190 KN.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Vishal Noroji, Mukesh Pandey, Rakesh Gupta. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.