SWD Aci 318 14

Shear Wall Design Manual
ACI 318-14
Shear Wall
Design Manual
ACI 318-14
For ETABS 2015
ISO ETA082914M61 Rev. 0

Proudly developed in the United States of America December 2014
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Copyright Computers & Structures, Inc., 1978-2014

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THIS PRODUCT IS A PRACTICAL AND POWERFUL TOOL FOR STRUCTURAL

DESIGN. HOWEVER, THE USER MUST EXPLICITLY UNDERSTAND THE BASIC
ASSUMPTIONS OF THE SOFTWARE MODELING, ANALYSIS, AND DESIGN
ALGORITHMS AND COMPENSATE FOR THE ASPECTS THAT ARE NOT
ADDRESSED.
THE INFORMATION PRODUCED BY THE SOFTWARE MUST BE CHECKED BY

A QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED ENGINEER. THE ENGINEER MUST
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RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE INFORMATION THAT IS USED.
Contents
Shear Wall Design
1 Introduction
1.1 Notation 1-2
1.2 Design Station Locations 1-8
1.3 Default Design Load Combinations 1-8
1.3.1 Dead Load Component 1-9
1.3.2 Live Load Component 1-10
1.3.3 Roof Live Load Component 1-10
1.3.4 Snow Load Component 1-10
1.3.5 Wind Load Component 1-10
1.3.6 Earthquake Load Component 1-10
1.3.7 Combinations that Include a Response Spectrum 1-11
1.3.8 Combinations that Include Time History Results 1-12
1.3.9 Combinations that Include Static Nonlinear
Results 1-13
1.4 Shear Wall Design Preferences 1-13
1.5 Shear Wall Design Overwrites 1-13
1.6 Choice of Units 1-14
i
Shear Wall Design ACI 318-14
2 Pier Design
2.1 Wall Pier Flexural Design 2-2
2.1.1 Designing a Simplified C & T Pier Section 2-2
2.1.2 Checking a General or Uniform Reinforcing
Pier Section 2-8
2.1.3 Wall Pier Demand/Capacity Ratio 2-17
2.1.4 Designing a General Reinforcing Pier Section 2-18
2.2 Wall Pier Shear Design 2-20
2.2.1 Determine the Concrete Shear Capacity
of the Leg 2-20
2.3 Wall Pier Boundary Elements 2-24
2.3.1 Details of Check for Boundary Element
Requirements 2-24
2.3.2 Transverse Reinforcement for Boundary
Elements 2-27
3 Spandrel Design
3.1 Spandrel Flexural Design 3-1
3.1.1 Determine the Maximum Factored Moments 3-2
3.1.2 Determine the Required Flexural Reinforcing 3-2
3.2 Spandrel Shear Design 3-10
3.2.1 Determine the Concrete Shear Capacity 3-11
3.2.2 Determine the Required Shear Reinforcing 3-12
Appendix A Shear Wall Design Preferences
Appendix B Design Procedure Overwrites
Appendix C Analysis Sections and Design Sections
Bibliography
ii
Chapter 1
Introduction
This manual describes the details of the shear wall design and stress check
algorithms used by the program when the user selects the ACI 318-14 design
code. The various notations used in this manual are described in Section 1.1.
The design is based on loading combinations specified by the user (Section

1.2). To facilitate the design process, the program provides a set of default load
combinations that should satisfy requirements for the design of most building
type structures.
The program performs the following design, check, or analysis procedures in

accordance with ACI 318-14 and IBC 2012 requirements:
Design and check of concrete wall piers for flexural and axial loads (Chapter
2)
Design of concrete wall piers for shear (Chapter 2)
Consideration of the boundary element requirements for concrete wall piers

using an approach based on the requirements of the code (Chapter 2)
Design of concrete shear wall spandrels for flexure (Chapter 3)
Design of concrete wall spandrels for shear (Chapter 3)
1-1
The program provides detailed output data for Simplified pier section design,
Uniform pier section design/check, and Section Designer pier section
design/check (Chapter 4).
1.1. Notation
Following is the notation used in this manual.
Acv Net area of a wall pier bounded by the length of the wall pier,
Lp, and the web thickness, tp, in2
Ag Gross area of a wall pier, in2
Ah-min Minimum required area of distributed horizontal reinforcing

steel required for shear in a wall spandrel, in2/inch
As Area of reinforcing steel, in2
Asc Area of reinforcing steel required for compression in a pier

edge member, or the required area of tension steel required to
balance the compression steel force in a wall spandrel, in2
Asc-max Maximum area of compression reinforcing steel in a wall pier

edge member, in2
Asf The required area of tension reinforcing steel for balancing the
concrete compression force in the extruding portion of the
concrete flange of a T-beam, in2
Ast Area of reinforcing steel required for tension in a pier edge

member, in2
Ast-max Maximum area of tension reinforcing steel in a wall pier edge

member, in2
Av Area of reinforcing steel required for shear, in2 / in
Avd Area of diagonal shear reinforcement in a coupling beam, in2
1-2 Notation
Chapter 1 Introduction
Av-min Minimum required area of distributed vertical reinforcing steel

required for shear in a wall spandrel, in2 / in
Asw The required area of tension reinforcing steel for balancing the
concrete compression force in a rectangular concrete beam, or
for balancing the concrete compression force in the concrete
web of a T-beam, in2
A's Area of compression reinforcing steel in a spandrel, in2
B1, B2... Length of a concrete edge member in a wall with uniform

thickness, in
Cc Concrete compression force in a wall pier or spandrel, lbs
Cf Concrete compression force in the extruding portion of a T-

beam flange, lbs
Cs Compression force in wall pier or spandrel reinforcing steel, lbs
Cw Concrete compression force in the web of a T-beam, lbs
D/C Demand/Capacity ratio as measured on an interaction curve for

a wall pier, unitless
DB1 Length of a user-defined wall pier edge member, in. This can
be different on the left and right sides of the pier, and it also
can be different at the top and the bottom of the pier.
DB2 Width of a user-defined wall pier edge member, in. This can be
different on the left and right sides of the pier, and it also can
be different at the top and the bottom of the pier.
Es Modulus of elasticity of reinforcing steel, psi
IP-max The maximum ratio of reinforcing considered in the design of a

pier with a Section Designer section, unitless
IP-min The minimum ratio of reinforcing considered in the design of a

pier with a Section Designer section, unitless
Notation 1-3
LBZ Horizontal length of the boundary zone at each end of a wall

pier, in
Lp Horizontal length of wall pier leg, in. This can be different at

the top and the bottom of the pier
Ls Horizontal length of wall spandrel, in
LL Live load
Mn Nominal bending strength, lb-in
Mu Factored bending moment at a design section, lb-in
Muc In a wall spandrel with compression reinforcing, the factored

bending moment at a design section resisted by the couple
between the concrete in compression and the tension steel, lb-in
Muf In a wall spandrel with a T-beam section and compression

reinforcing, the factored bending moment at a design section
resisted by the couple between the concrete in compression in
the extruding portion of the flange and the tension steel, lb-in
Mus In a wall spandrel with compression reinforcing, the factored

bending moment at a design section resisted by the couple be-
tween the compression steel and the tension steel, lb-in
Muw In a wall spandrel with a T-beam section and compression

reinforcing, the factored bending moment at a design section
resisted by the couple between the concrete in compression in
the web and the tension steel, lb-in
OC On a wall pier interaction curve the distance from the origin to

the capacity associated with the point considered, in
OL On a wall pier interaction curve the distance from the origin to

the point considered, in
Pb The axial force in a wall pier at a balanced strain condition, lbs
1-4 Notation
Pleft Equivalent axial force in the left edge member of a wall pier
used for design, lbs. This may be different at the top and the
bottom of the wall pier.
Pmax Limit on the maximum compressive design strength specified

by the code, lbs
Pmax Factor Factor used to reduce the allowable maximum compressive

design strength, unitless. The code specifies this factor to be
0.80. This factor can be revised in the preferences.
Pn Nominal axial strength, lbs
Po Nominal axial load strength of a wall pier, lbs
Poc The maximum compression force a wall pier can carry with
strength reduction factors set equal to one, lbs
Pot The maximum tension force a wall pier can carry with strength
reduction factors set equal to one, lbs
Pright Equivalent axial force in the right edge member of a wall pier
used for design, lbs. This may be different at the top and the
bottom of the wall pier.
Pu Factored axial force at a design section, lbs
PCmax Maximum ratio of compression steel in an edge member of a

wall pier, unitless
PTmax Maximum ratio of tension steel in an edge member of a wall

pier, unitless
RLL Reduced live load
Ts Tension force in wall pier reinforcing steel, lbs
Vc The portion of the shear force carried by the concrete, lbs
Vn Nominal shear strength, lbs
Notation 1-5
Vs The portion of the shear force in a spandrel carried by the shear

reinforcing steel, lbs
Vu Factored shear force at a design section, lbs
WL Wind load
a Depth of the wall pier or spandrel compression block, in
a1 Depth of the compression block in the web of a T-beam, in
bs Width of the compression flange in a T-beam, in. This can be

different on the left and right ends of the T-beam.
c Distance from the extreme compression fiber of the wall pier or

spandrel to the neutral axis, in
dr-bot Distance from the bottom of the spandrel beam to the centroid
of the bottom reinforcing steel, in. This can be different on the
left and right ends of the beam.
dr-top Distance from the top of the spandrel beam to the centroid of
the top reinforcing steel, in. This can be different on the left and
right ends of the beam.
ds Depth of the compression flange in a T-beam, in. This can be

different on the left and right ends of the T-beam.
dspandrel Depth of the spandrel beam minus the cover to the centroid of
the reinforcing, in
fy Yield strength of steel reinforcing, psi. This value is used for

flexural and axial design calculations.
fys Yield strength of steel reinforcing, psi. This value is used for
shear design calculations.
f 'c Concrete compressive strength, psi. This value is used for flex-
ural and axial design calculations.
1-6 Notation
f 'cs Concrete compressive strength, psi. This value is used for shear
design calculations.
f's Stress in compression steel of a wall spandrel, psi.
hs Height of a wall spandrel, in. This can be different on the left

and right ends of the spandrel.
pmax Maximum ratio of reinforcing steel in a wall pier with a Section

Designer section that is designed (not checked), unitless.
pmin Minimum ratio of reinforcing steel in a wall pier with a Section

Designer section that is designed (not checked), unitless.
tp Thickness of a wall pier, in. This can be different at the top and
bottom of the pier.
ts Thickness of a wall spandrel, in. This can be different on the

left and right ends of the spandrel.
DL The sum of all dead load cases
LL The sum of all live load cases
RLL The sum of all reduced live load cases
The angle between the diagonal reinforcing and the longitudi-

nal axis of a coupling beam
1 Unitless factor defined in Section 22.2.2.4.3 of the code
Reinforcing steel strain, unitless
s Reinforcing steel strain in a wall pier, unitless
's Compression steel strain in a wall spandrel, unitless
Strength reduction factor, unitless
t Strength reduction factor for bending and tension controlled

cases, unitless. The default value is 0.9.
Notation 1-7
c Strength reduction factor for bending plus high axial compres-

sion in a concrete pier, unitless. The default value is 0.65.
vns Strength reduction factor for shear in a nonseismic pier or

spandrel, unitless. The default value is 0.75.
vs Strength reduction factor for shear in a seismic pier or spandrel,

unitless. The default value is 0.6.
Modification factor reflecting the reduced mechanical pro-

perties of light-weight concrete, all relative to normal weight
concrete of the same compressive strength. It is equal to 1 for
normal weight concrete.
s Reinforcing steel stress in a wall pier, psi
1.2. Design Station Locations

The program designs wall piers at stations located at the top and bottom of the
pier only. To design at the mid-height of a pier, break the pier into two separate
"half-height" piers.
The program designs wall spandrels at stations located at the left and right ends
of the spandrel only. To design at the mid-length of a spandrel, break the span-
drel into two separate "half-length" spandrels. Note that if a spandrel is broken
into pieces, the program will calculate the seismic diagonal shear reinforcing
separately for each piece. The angle used to calculate the seismic diagonal
shear reinforcing for each piece is based on the length of the piece, not the
length of the entire spandrel. This can cause the required area of diagonal rein-
forcing to be significantly underestimated. Thus, if a spandrel is broken into
pieces, calculate the seismic diagonal shear reinforcing separately by hand.
1.3. Default Design Load Combinations

The design load combinations automatically created by the program for con-
crete shear wall design are given by the following equations (ACI 9.2.1).
1-8 Design Station Locations

1.4D (ACI 5.3.1a)

1.2D + 1.6L + 0.5Lr (ACI 5.3.1b)
1.2D + 1.0L + 1.6Lr (ACI 5.3.1c)
1.2D + 1.6(0.75 PL) + 0.5Lr (ACI 5.3.1b, 6.4.3.3)
1.2D + 1.6L + 0.5S (ACI 5.3.1b)
1.2D + 1.0L + 1.6S (ACI 5.3.1c)
0.9D 1.0W (ACI 5.3.1f)

1.2D + 1.0L + 0.5Lr 1.0W (ACI 5.3.1d)
1.2D + 1.6Lr 0.5W (ACI 5.3.1c)
1.2D + 1.6S 0.5W (ACI 5.3.1c)

1.2D + 1.0L + 0.5S 1.0W (ACI 5.3.1d)
0.9D 1.0E (ACI 5.3.1g)

1.2D + 1.0L + 0.2S 1.0E (ACI 5.3.1e)
In the preceding Equations,
D = The sum of all dead load load cases defined for the model.
L = The sum of all live load load cases defined for the model. Note
that this includes roof live loads as well as floor live loads.
Lr = The sum of all roof live load load cases defined for the model.
S = The sum of all snow load load cases defined for the model.
W = Any single wind load load case defined for the model.
E = Any single earthquake load load case defined for the model.
1.3.1. Dead Load Component

6B
The dead load component of the default design load combinations consists of
the sum of all dead loads multiplied by the specified factor. Individual dead
load cases are not considered separately in the default design load combina-
tions.
Default Design Load Combinations 1-9

See the description of the earthquake load component later in this chapter for
additional information.
1.3.2. Live Load Component

7B
The live load component of the default design load combinations consists of
the sum of all live loads, both reducible and unreducible, multiplied by the
specified factor. Individual live load cases are not considered separately in the
default design load combinations.
1.3.3. Roof Live Load Component

The live load component of the default design load combinations consists of
the sum of all roof live loads (unreducible), multiplied by the specified factor.
1.3.4. Snow Load Component

7B
The snow load component of the default design load combinations consists of
the sum of all snow loads, multiplied by the specified factor. Individual live
load cases are not considered separately in the default design load combina-
tions.
1.3.5. Wind Load Component

8B
The wind load component of the default design load combinations consists of
the contribution from a single wind load case. Thus, if multiple wind load cases
are defined in the program model, each of ACI Equations 5.3.1c, 5.3.1d and
5.3.1f will contribute multiple design load combinations, one for each wind
load case that is defined.
1.3.6. Earthquake Load Component

9B
The earthquake load component of the default design load combinations con-
sists of the contribution from a single earthquake load case. Thus, if multiple
earthquake load cases are defined in the program model, each of ACI Equa-
tions 5.3.1e and 5.3.1g will contribute multiple design load combinations, one
for each earthquake load case that is defined.
1-10 Default Design Load Combinations

The earthquake load cases considered when creating the default design load
combinations include all static load cases that are defined as earthquake loads
and all response spectrum cases. Default design load combinations are not cre-
ated for time history cases or for static nonlinear cases.
1.3.7. Combinations that Include a Response Spectrum

10B
In the program all response spectrum cases are assumed to be earthquake load
cases. Default design load combinations are created that include the response
spectrum cases.
The output from a response spectrum is all positive. Any design load
combination that includes a response spectrum load case is checked for all
possible combinations of signs on the response spectrum values. Thus, when
checking shear in a wall pier or a wall spandrel, the response spectrum
contribution of shear to the design load combination is considered once as a
positive shear and then a second time as a negative shear. Similarly, when
checking moment in a wall spandrel, the response spectrum contribution of
moment to the design load combination is considered once as a positive
moment and then a second time as a negative moment. When checking the
flexural behavior of a two-dimensional wall pier or spandrel, four possible
combinations are considered for the contribution of response spectrum load to
the design load combination. They are:
+P and +M
+P and M
P and +M
P and M
where P is the axial load in the pier and M is the moment in the pier. Similarly,
eight possible combinations of P, M2 and M3 are considered for three-
dimensional wall piers.
Note that based on the above, ACI Equation 5.3.1e with negative sign for
earthquake is redundant for a load combination with a response spectrum, and
similarly, ACI Equation 5.3.1g with negative sign for earthquake is redundant
for a load combination with a response spectrum. For this reason, the program
Default Design Load Combinations 1-11

creates default design load combinations based on ACI Equations 5.3.1e and
5.3.1g with only positive sign for earthquake for response spectra. Default de-
sign load combinations using ACI Equations 5.3.1e and 5.3.1g with negative
sign for earthquake are not created for response spectra.
1.3.8. Combinations that Include Time History Results

1B
The default shear wall design load combinations do not include any time histo-
ry results. Therefore, user-defined load combinations should include time histo-
ry forces.
When a design load combination includes time history results, the design can
be for the envelope of those results or for each step of the time history. The
type of time history design can be specified in the shear wall design prefer-
ences (Appendix A).
When envelopes are used, the design is for the maximum of each response
quantity (axial load, moment, and the like) as if they occurred simultaneously.
Typically, this is not the realistic case, and in some instances, it may be
unconservative. Designing for each step of a time history gives the correct cor-
respondence between different response quantities, but designing for each step
can be very time consuming.
When the program gets the envelope results for a time history, it gets a maxi-
mum and a minimum value for each response quantity. Thus, for wall piers it
gets maximum and minimum values of axial load, shear and moment; and for
wall spandrels, it gets maximum and minimum values of shear and moment.
For a design load combination in the program shear wall design module, any
load combination that includes a time history load case in it is checked for all
possible combinations of maximum and minimum time history design values.
Thus, when checking shear in a wall pier or a wall spandrel, the time history
contribution of shear to the design load combination is considered once as a
maximum shear and then a second time as a minimum shear. Similarly, when
checking moment in a wall spandrel, the time history contribution of moment
to the design load combination is considered once as a maximum moment and
then a second time as a minimum moment. When checking the flexural behav-
ior of a wall pier, four possible combinations are considered for the contribu-
tion of time history load to the design load combination. They are:
1-12 Default Design Load Combinations

Pmax and Mmax
Pmax and Mmin
Pmin and Mmax
Pmin and Mmin
where P is the axial load in the pier and M is the moment in the pier.
If a single design load combination has more than one time history case in it,
that design load combination is designed for the envelopes of the time histo-
ries, regardless of what is specified for the Time History Design item in the
preferences.
1.3.9. Combinations that Include Static Nonlinear Results

12B
The default shear wall design load combinations do not include any static non-
linear results. Therefore, user-defined load combinations should include static
nonlinear results.
If a design load combination includes a single static nonlinear case and nothing
else, the design is performed for each step of the static nonlinear analysis. Oth-
erwise, the design is only performed for the last step of the static nonlinear
analysis.
1.4. Shear Wall Design Preferences

The shear wall design preferences are basic properties that apply to all wall pier
and spandrel elements. Appendix A identifies shear wall design preferences for
the code.
Default values are provided for all shear wall design preference items. Thus, it
is not required that preferences be specified. However, at least review the de-
fault values for the preference items to make sure they are acceptable.
Shear Wall Design Preferences 1-13

1.5. Shear Wall Design Overwrites

The shear wall design overwrites are basic assignments that apply only to those
piers or spandrels to which they are assigned. The overwrites for piers and
spandrels are separate. Appendix B identifies the shear wall overwrites for the
code. Note that the available overwrites change depending on the pier section
type (Uniform Reinforcing, General Reinforcing, or Simplified C and T).
Default values are provided for all pier and spandrel overwrite items. Thus, it is
not necessary to specify or change any of the overwrites. However, at least
review the default values for the overwrite items to make sure they are
acceptable. When changes are made to overwrite items, the program applies
the changes only to the elements to which they are specifically assigned, that
is, to the elements that are selected when the overwrites are changed.
1.6. Choice of Units

For shear wall design in this program, any set of consistent units can be used
for input. Also, the system of units being used can be changed at any time.
Typically, design codes are based on one specific set of units.
The code is based on Pound-Inch-Second units. For simplicity, all equations

and descriptions presented in this manual correspond to pound-inch-second
units unless otherwise noted.
The Display Unit preferences allow the user to specify special units for concen-
trated and distributed areas of reinforcing. The special units specified for con-
centrated and distributed areas of reinforcing can be changed anytime.
The choices available in the Display Units preferences for the units associated
with an area of concentrated reinforcing are in2, cm2, mm2, ft2 and m2. The
choices available for the units associated with an area per unit length of distrib-
uted reinforcing are in2/ft, cm2/m, mm2/m, in2/in, cm2/cm, and so on.
1-14 Shear Wall Design Overwrites

Chapter 2
Pier Design
This chapter describes how the program designs and checks concrete wall piers
for flexural and axial loads when the ACI 318-14 option is selected. First we
describe how the program designs piers that are specified by a Simplified C &
T Section. Next we describe how the program checks piers that are specified by
a Uniform Reinforcing Pier Section or General Section (i.e., Section Designer).
Then we describe how the program designs piers that are specified by a
Uniform Reinforcing Pier Section or General Section (Section Designer).
This chapter also describes how the program designs each leg of concrete wall
piers for shear when the ACI 318-14 option is selected. Note that in this
program the user cannot specify shear reinforcing and then have the program
check it. The program only designs the pier for shear and reports how much
shear reinforcing is required. The shear design is performed at stations at the
top and bottom of the pier.
This chapter also describes the design of boundary zone elements for each pier
in accordance with ACI Section 18.10.6 when a seismic load case is present in
wall design load combinations.
2-1
2.1 Wall Pier Flexural Design

For both designing and checking piers, it is important to understand the local
axis definition for the pier. Access the local axes assignments using the Assign
menu.
2.1.1 Designing a Simplified C & T Pier Section

This section describes how the program designs a pier that is assigned a
simplified section. The geometry associated with the simplified section is
illustrated in Figure 2-1. The pier geometry is defined by a length, thickness,
and size of the edge members at each end of the pier (if any).
Figure 2-1: Typical Wall Pier Dimensions Used for Simplified Design
A simplified T and C pier section is always planar (not three-dimensional). The

dimensions shown in the figure include the following:
2-2 Wall Pier Flexural Design

Chapter 2 Pier Design
The length of the wall pier is designated Lp. This is the horizontal length of
the wall pier in plan.
The thickness of the wall pier is designated tp. The thickness specified for
left and right edge members (DB2left and DB2right) may be different from
this wall thickness.
DB1 represents the horizontal length of the pier edge member. DB1 can be
different at the left and right sides of the pier.
DB2 represents the horizontal width (or thickness) of the pier edge
member. DB2 can be different at the left and right sides of the pier.
The dimensions illustrated are specified in the shear wall overwrites (Appendix
B), and can be specified differently at the top and bottom of the wall pier.
If no specific edge member dimensions have been specified by the user, the
program assumes that the edge member thickness is the same as the thickness
of the wall, and the program determines the required length of the edge
member. In all cases, whether the edge member size is user-specified or
program-determined, the program reports the required area of reinforcing steel
at the center of the edge member. This section describes how the program-
determined length of the edge member is determined and how the program
calculates the required reinforcing at the center of the edge member.
Three design conditions are possible for a simplified wall pier. These
conditions, illustrated in Figure 2-2, are as follows:
The wall pier has program-determined (variable length and fixed width) edge
members on each end.
The wall pier has user-defined (fixed length and width) edge members on
each end.
The wall pier has a program-determined (variable length and fixed width)
edge member on one end and a user-defined (fixed length and width) edge
member on the other end.
Wall Pier Flexural Design 2-3

Design Condition 1 Design Condition 2

Wall pier with uniform thickness and Wall pier with user-defined edge
ETABS-determined (variable length) members
edge members
Design Condition 3 Note:

Wall pier with a user-defined edge In all three conditions, the only
member on one end and an ETABS- reinforcing designed by ETABS is that
determined (variable length) edge required at the center of the edge
member on the other end members
Figure 2-2: Design Conditions for Simplified Wall Piers
2.1.1.1 Design Condition 1

Design condition 1 applies to a wall pier with uniform design thickness and
program-determined edge member length. For this design condition, the design
algorithm focuses on determining the required size (length) of the edge mem-
bers, while limiting the compression and tension reinforcing located at the
center of the edge members to user-specified maximum ratios. The maximum
ratios are specified in the shear wall design preferences and the pier design
overwrites as Edge Design PC-Max and Edge Design PT-Max.
Consider the wall pier shown in Figure 2-3. For a given design section, say the
top of the wall pier, the wall pier for a given design load combination is
designed for a factored axial force Pu-top and a factored moment Mu-top.
The program initiates the design procedure by assuming an edge member at the
left end of the wall of thickness tp and width B1-left, and an edge member at the
right end of the wall of thickness tp and width B1-right. Initially B1-left = B1-right = tp.
The moment and axial force are converted to an equivalent force set Pleft-top and
Pright-top using the relationships shown in the following equations. (Similar
equations apply to the bottom of the pier.)

0.5Lp
0.5tp 0.5tp
tp tp
tp
B1-left B1-right
B2-left B2-right
B3-left B3-right
Lp
CL
Wall Pier Plan
Pleft-top Pu-top Pright-top

Mu-top
Top of
Right edge member pier
Left edge member
Bottom
of pier
Mu-bot
Pleft-bot Pu-bot Pright-bot

Wall Pier Elevation
Figure 2-3: Wall Pier for Design Condition 1

Pu top M u top
P= +
left-top
2 ( Lp 0.5B1left 0.5B1right )
Pu top M u top
=
Pright-top
2 ( Lp 0.5B1left 0.5B1right )
For any given loading combination, the net values for Pleft-top and Pright-top could
be tension or compression.
Note that for dynamic loads, Pleft-top and Pright-top are obtained at the modal level
and the modal combinations are made, before combining with other loads. Also
for design loading combinations involving SRSS, the Pleft-top and Pright-top forces
are obtained first for each load case before the combinations are made.
If any value of Pleft-top or Pright-top is tension, the area of steel required for tension,
Ast, is calculated as:
P
Ast = .
t f y
If any value of Pleft-top or Pright-top is compression, for section adequacy, the area
of steel required for compression, Asc, must satisfy the following relationship.
Abs=
( P) ( Pmax Factor ) c [0.85 fc' ( Ag Asc ) + f y Asc ] (ACI Table 22.4.2.1)
where P is either Pleft-top or Pright-top, Ag = tpB1 and the Pmax Factor is defined in the
shear wall design preferences (the default is 0.80). In general, we recommend
the use of the default value. From the preceding equation,
Abs ( P )
0.85 f c' Ag
( Pmax Factor ) c
Asc = .
f y 0.85 f c'
If Asc calculates as negative, no compression reinforcing is needed.
The maximum tensile reinforcing to be packed within the tp times B1 concrete

edge member is limited by:
Ast -max = PTmax t p B1.

Similarly, the compression reinforcing is limited by:
Asc -max = PCmax t p B1.
If Ast is less than or equal to Ast-max and Asc is less than or equal to Asc-max, the
program will proceed to check the next loading combination; otherwise the
program will increment the appropriate B1 dimension (left, right or both,
depending on which edge member is inadequate) by one-half of the wall
thickness to B2 (i.e., 1.5tp) and calculate new values for Pleft-top and Pright-top
resulting in new values of Ast and Asc. This iterative procedure continues until
Ast and Asc are within the allowed steel ratios for all design load combinations.
If the value of the width of the edge member B increments to where it reaches a
value larger than or equal to Lp /2, the iteration is terminated and a failure
condition is reported.
This design algorithm is an approximate but convenient algorithm. Wall piers

that are declared overstressed using this algorithm could be found to be
adequate if the reinforcing steel is user-specified and the wall pier is accurately
evaluated using interaction diagrams.

Design condition 2 applies to a wall pier with user-specified edge members at
each end of the pier. The size of the edge members is assumed to be fixed; that
is, the program does not modify them. For this design condition, the design
algorithm determines the area of steel required in the center of the edge
members and checks if that area gives reinforcing ratios less than the user-
specified maxi-mum ratios. The design algorithm used is the same as described
for condition 1; however, no iteration is required.

Design condition 3 applies to a wall pier with a user-specified (fixed
dimension) edge member at one end of the pier and a variable length (program-
determined) edge member at the other end. The width of the variable length
edge member is equal to the width of the wall.

The design is similar to that which has previously been described for design
conditions 1 and 2. The size of the user-specified edge member is not changed.
Iteration only occurs on the size of the variable length edge member.
2.1.2 Checking a General or Uniform Reinforcing Pier Section

When a General Reinforcing or Uniform Reinforcing pier section is specified
to be checked, the program creates an interaction surface for that pier and uses
that interaction surface to determine the critical flexural demand/capacity ratio
for the pier. This section describes how the program generates the interaction
surface for the pier and how it determines the demand/capacity ratio for a given
design load combination.
Note: In this program, the interaction surface is defined by a series of PMM interac-
tion curves that are equally spaced around a 360-degree circle.
2.1.2.1 Interaction Surface

In this program, a three-dimensional interaction surface is defined with
reference to the P, M2 and M3 axes. The surface is developed using a series of
interaction curves that are created by rotating the direction of the pier neutral
axis in equally spaced increments around a 360-degree circle. For example, if
24 PMM curves are specified (the default), there is one curve every 15 degrees
(360/24 curves = 15). Figure 2-4 illustrates the assumed orientation of the
pier neutral axis and the associated sides of the neutral axis where the section is
in tension (designated T in the figure) or compression (designated C in the
figure) for various angles.
Note that the orientation of the neutral axis is the same for an angle of and
+180. Only the side of the neutral axis where the section is in tension or
compression changes. We recommend that 24 interaction curves (or more) be
used to define a three-dimensional interaction surface.
Each PMM interaction curve that makes up the interaction surface is

numerically described by a series of discrete points connected by straight lines.
The coordinates of these points are determined by rotating a plane of linear
strain about the neutral axis on the section of the pier. Details of this process
are described later in the section entitled "Details of the Strain Compatibility
Analysis."

T C Interaction curve is Interaction curve is

for a neutral axis for a neutral axis
parallel to this axis parallel to this axis
C
3 3
T
Pier section Pier section
2 2
45
a) Angle is 0 degrees b) Angle is 45 degrees
Interaction curve is Interaction curve is

for a neutral axis for a neutral axis
parallel to this axis parallel to this axis
3 3
Pier section Pier section
2 2
C T 225
T
a) Angle is 180 degrees b) Angle is 225 degrees
C
Figure 2-4: Orientation of the Pier Neutral Axis for Various Angles
By default, 11 points are used to define a PMM interaction curve. This number
can be changed in the preferences; any odd number of points greater than or
equal to 11 can be specified, to be used in creating the interaction curve. If an
even number is specified for this item in the preferences, the program will
increment up to the next higher odd number.
Note that when creating an interaction surface for a two-dimensional wall pier,
the program considers only two interaction curvesthe 0 curve and the 180
curveregardless of the number of curves specified in the preferences.
Furthermore, only moments about the M3 axis are considered for two-
dimensional walls.
2.1.2.2 Formulation of the Interaction Surface

The formulation of the interaction surface in this program is based consistently
on the basic principles of ultimate strength design (ACI 22.2). The program
uses the requirements of force equilibrium and strain compatibility to

determine the nominal axial and moment strength (Pn, M2n, M3n) of the wall
pier. This nominal strength is then multiplied by the appropriate strength
reduction factor, , to obtain the design strength (Pn, M2n, M3n) of the pier.
For the pier to be deemed adequate, the required strength (Pu, M2u, M3u) must
be less than or equal to the design strength.
(Pu, M2u, M3u) (Pn, M2n, M3n)
The effect of the strength reduction factor, , is included in the generation of

the interaction surface. The value of used in the interaction diagram varies
from compression-controlled to tension-controlled based on the maximum
tensile strain in the reinforcing at the extreme edge, t (ACI 21.2.1, 21.2.2, Ta-
ble 21.2.1, Table 21.2.2).
Sections are considered compression-controlled when the tensile strain in the

extreme tension steel is equal to or less than the compression-controlled strain
limit at the time the concrete in compression reaches its assumed strain limit of
c.max, which is 0.003. The compression-controlled strain limit is the tensile
strain in the reinforcement at balanced strain condition, which is taken as the
yield strain of the steel reinforcing, fy /E (ACI 21.2.2.1, Table 21.2.2, Fig.
R21.2.2b).
Sections are tension-controlled when the tensile strain in the extreme tension
steel is equal to or greater than 0.005, just as the concrete in compression
reaches its assumed strain limit of 0.003 (ACI Table 21.2.2, Fig. R21.2.2b).
Sections with t between the two limits are considered to be in a transition

region between compression-controlled and tension-controlled sections (ACI
21.2.2, Table 21.2.2, Fig. R21.2.2b).
When the section is tension-controlled, a factor for tension-control case is

used. When the section is compression-controlled, a factor for compression-
control case is used. When the section falls into the transition region, is
linearly interpolated between the two values (ACI 21.2.2, Table 21.2.2, Fig.
R21.2.2b), as shown in the following:

c if t

0.005 t
c = t (t c ) if < t 0.005, (ACI 21.2.2)
0.005 y
if t 0.005
t
where,
t = for tension controlled sections,
which is 0.90 by default (ACI 21.2.1, Table 21.2.2)
c = for compression controlled sections

= 0.65 (by default) for wall sections
with tied reinforcement. (ACI 21.2.1, Table 21.2.2)
In cases involving axial tension, the strength reduction factor, , is by default

equal to t. The strength reduction factors c and t can be revised in the
preferences and the overwrites (Appendix A).
The theoretical maximum nominal compressive force that the wall pier can
carry, assuming the c factor is equal to 1, is designated Poc and is given by.
Poc = [0.85f'c (Ag As) + fyAs] (ACI 21.4.4.2)
The theoretical maximum nominal tension force that the wall pier can carry,
assuming the t factor is equal to 1, is designated Pot and is given by.
Pot = fyAs
If the wall pier geometry and reinforcing is symmetrical in plan, the moments
associated with both Poc and Pot are zero. Otherwise, a moment associated will
be with both Poc and Pot.
The code limits the maximum compressive design strength, cPn, to the value
given by Pmax
Pmax = 0.80cPoc = 0.80[0.85f'c (Ag As) + fyAs] (ACI 22.4.2.1)
Note that the equation defining Pmax reduces Poc not only by a strength
reduction factor, c, but also by an additional factor of 0.80. In the preferences,
this factor is called the Pmax Factor, and different values for it can be specified, as

required. In all code designs, it is prudent to consider this factor to be 0.80 as

required by the code.
Note: The number of points to be used in creating interaction diagrams can be speci-
fied in the shear wall preferences.
As previously mentioned, by default, 11 points are used to define a single
interaction curve. When creating a single interaction curve, the program
includes the points at Pb, Poc and Pot on the interaction curve. Half of the
remaining number of specified points on the interaction curve occur between
Pb and Poc at approximately equal spacing along the Pn axis. The other half of
the remaining number of specified points on the interaction curve occur
between Pb and Pot at approximately equal spacing along the Pn axis. Here Pb
is the nominal axial capacity at the balanced condition.
Figure 2-5 shows a plan view of an example two-dimensional wall pier. Notice
that the concrete is symmetrical but the reinforcing is not symmetrical in this
example. Figure 2-6 shows several interaction surfaces for the wall pier
illustrated in Figure 2-5.
# 5@12 o.c.,
12'-6"
each face, except
3" 12 spaces at 1'-0" = 12'-0" 3" as noted
1'
fc = 4 ksi
2-#9
2-#9
2-#6
fy = 60 ksi
Figure 2-5: Example Two-Dimensional Wall Pier With Unsymmetrical

Reinforcing
Note the following about Figure 2-6:
Because the pier is two-dimensional, the interaction surface consists of two

interaction curves. One curve is at 0 and the other is at 180. Only M3
moments are considered because this is a two-dimensional example.
In this program, compression is negative and tension is positive.

The 0 and 180 interaction curves are not symmetric because the wall pier
reinforcing is not symmetric.
The smaller interaction surface (drawn with a heavier line) has both the
strength reduction factors and the Pmax Factor, applied as specified by the
code.
The dashed line shows the effect of setting the Pmax Factor to 1.0.
The larger interaction surface has both the strength reduction factor and the
Pmax,Factor set to 1.0.
The interaction surfaces shown are created using the default value of 11
points for each interaction curve.
Figure 2-6 : Interaction Curves for Example Wall Pier Shown in Figure 2-5
Figure 2-7 shows the 0 interaction curves for the wall pier illustrated in Figure
2-5. Additional interaction curves are also added to Figure 2-7.

The smaller, heavier curve in Figure 2-7 has the strength reduction factor and
the Pmax,Factor as specified in ACI 318-14. The other three curves, which are
plotted for = 0.65, 0.9 and 1.0, all have Pmax,Factor of 1.0. The purpose of
showing these interaction curves is to explain how the program creates the
interaction curve. Recall that the strength reduction factors 0.65 and 0.9 are
actually c and t, and that their values can be revised in the preferences as
required.
Figure 2-7: Interaction Curves for Example Wall Pier Shown in Figure 2-5
2.1.2.3 Details of the Strain Compatibility Analysis

As previously mentioned, the program uses the requirements of force
equilibrium and strain compatibility to determine the nominal axial strength
and moment strength (Pn, M2n, M3n) of the wall pier. The coordinates of these
points are determined by rotating a plane of linear strain on the section of the
wall pier.
Figure 2-8 illustrates varying planes of linear strain such as those that the
program considers on a wall pier section for a neutral axis orientation angle of
0 degrees.

In these planes, the maximum concrete strain is always taken as 0.003 and the
maximum steel strain is varied from 0.003 to plus infinity. (Recall that in this
program compression is negative and tension is positive.) When the steel strain
is 0.003, the maximum compressive force in the wall pier, Poc, is obtained
from the strain compatibility analysis. When the steel strain is plus infinity, the
maximum tensile force in the wall pier, Pot, is obtained. When the maximum
steel strain is equal to the yield strain for the reinforcing (e.g., 0.00207 for fy =
60 ksi), Pb is obtained.
Varying
neutral axis
locations
0.000
-0.003
Varying Linear Strain Diagram -
Plan View of Wall Pier
Figure 2-8: Varying Planes of Linear Strain
Figure 2-9 illustrates the concrete wall pier strain, stress, and force that is
obtained from a strain compatibility analysis of a typical plane of linear strain
shown in Figure 2-8. In Figure 2-9 the compressive stress in the concrete, Cc, is
calculated (ACI 21.2.2.4.1).
Cc = 0.85f'c1ctp (ACI 21.2.2.4.1)
In Figure 2-8, the value for maximum strain in the reinforcing steel is assumed.
Then the strain in all other reinforcing steel is determined based on the
assumed plane of linear strain. Next the stress in the reinforcing steel is

calculated as follows, where s is the strain, Es is the modulus of elasticity, s

is the stress, and fy is the yield stress of the reinforcing steel.
s = sEs fy (ACI 20.2.2)
13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Ts Ts Ts Ts Ts Ts Ts Ts Ts Cs Cs Cs Cs
0.85f'c
Cc
a = 1c
Stress Diagram
13s

12
s
11s 10
s
9s 8 c
s
7s 6 5
s
s
= 0.003
4s 3
s
2s 1
s
Linear Strain Diagram
tp
Plan View of Wall Pier
Figure 2-9: Wall Pier Stress-Strain Relationship
The force in the reinforcing steel (Ts for tension or Cs for compression) is
calculated by:
Ts or Cs = sAs
For the given distribution of strain, the value of Pn is calculated by.

Pn = (Ts Cc Cs) Pmax
In the preceding equation, the tensile force Ts and the compressive forces Cc
and Cs are all positive. If Pn is positive, it is tension, and if it is negative, it is
compression.
The value of M2n is calculated by summing the moments due to all of the
forces about the pier local 2 axis. Similarly, the value of M3n is calculated by
summing the moments due to all of the forces about the pier local 3 axis. The
forces whose moments are summed to determine M2n and M3n are Cc, all of
the Ts forces and all of the Cs forces.
The Pn, M2n and M3n values calculated as described in the preceding
paragraph make up one point on the wall pier interaction diagram. Additional
points on the diagram are obtained by making different assumptions for the
maximum steel strain; that is, considering a different plane of linear strain, and
repeating the process.
When one interaction curve is complete, the next orientation of the neutral axis
is assumed and the points for the associated new interaction curve are
calculated. This process continues until the points for all of the specified curves
have been calculated.
2.1.3 Wall Pier Demand/Capacity Ratio

Refer to Figure 2-10, which shows a typical two-dimensional wall pier
interaction diagram. The forces obtained from a given design load combination
are Pu and M3u. The point L, defined by (Pu, M3u), is placed on the interaction
diagram, as shown in the figure. If the point lies within the interaction curve,
the wall pier capacity is adequate. If the point lies outside of the interaction
curve, the wall pier is overstressed.
As a measure of the stress condition in the wall pier, the program calculates a
stress ratio. The ratio is achieved by plotting the point L and determining the
location of point C. The point C is defined as the point where the line OL
(extended outward if needed) intersects the interaction curve. The
demand/capacity ratio, D/C, is given by D/C = OL / OC where OL is the
"distance" from point O (the origin) to point L and OC is the "distance" from
point O to point C. Note the following about the demand/capacity ratio:

If OL = OC (or D/C = 1), the point (Pu, M3u) lies on the interaction curve
and the wall pier is stressed to capacity.
If OL < OC (or D/C < 1), the point (Pu, M3u) lies within the interaction
curve and the wall pier capacity is adequate.
If OL > OC (or D/C > 1), the point (Pu, M3u) lies outside of the interaction
curve and the wall pier is overstressed.
The wall pier demand/capacity ratio is a factor that gives an indication of the
stress condition of the wall with respect to the capacity of the wall.
The demand/capacity ratio for a three-dimensional wall pier is determined in a

similar manner to that described here for two-dimensional piers.
Figure 2-10: Two-Dimensional Wall Pier Demand/Capacity Ratio
2.1.4 Designing a General Reinforcing Pier Section

When a General Reinforcing pier section is specified to be designed, the
program creates a series of interaction surfaces for the pier based on the
following items:
The size of the pier as specified in Section Designer.

The location of the reinforcing specified in Section Designer.
The size of each reinforcing bar specified in Section Designer relative to the
size of the other bars.
The interaction surfaces are developed for eight different ratios of reinforcing-
steel-area-to-pier-area. The pier area is held constant and the rebar area is
modified to obtain these different ratios; however, the relative size (area) of
each rebar compared to the other bars is always kept constant.
The smallest of the eight reinforcing ratios used is that specified in the shear
wall design preferences as Section Design IP-Min. Similarly, the largest of the
eight reinforcing ratios used is that specified in the shear wall design
preferences as Section Design IP-Max.
The eight reinforcing ratios used are the maximum and the minimum ratios
plus six more ratios. The spacing between the reinforcing ratios is calculated as
an increasing arithmetic series in which the space between the first two ratios is
equal to one-third of the space between the last two ratios. Table 1 illustrates
the spacing, both in general terms and for a specific example, when the
minimum reinforcing ratio, IPmin, is 0.0025 and the maximum, IPmax, is 0.02.
Table 2-1 The Eight Reinforcing Ratios Used by the Program

Curve Ratio Example
1 IPmin 0.0025
IPmax IPmin
2 IPmin + 0.0038
14
7 IPmax IPmin
3 IPmin + 0.0054
3 14
IPmax IPmin
4 IPmin + 4 0.0075
14
IPmax IPmin
5 IPmin + 6 0.0100
14
25 IPmax IPmin
6 IPmin + 0.0129
3 14
IPmax IPmin
7 IPmin + 11 0.0163
14
8 IPmax 0.0200

After the eight reinforcing ratios have been determined, the program develops
interaction surfaces for all eight of the ratios using the process described earlier
in the section entitled "Checking a General or Uniform Reinforcing Pier
Section."
Next, for a given design load combination, the program generates a

demand/capacity ratio associated with each of the eight interaction surfaces.
The program then uses linear interpolation between the eight interaction
surfaces to determine the reinforcing ratio that gives an demand/capacity ratio
of 1 (actually the program uses 0.99 instead of 1). This process is repeated for
all design load combinations and the largest required reinforcing ratio is
reported.
Design of a Uniform Reinforcing pier section is similar to that described herein

for the General Reinforcing section.
2.2 Wall Pier Shear Design

The wall pier shear reinforcing is designed leg by leg (panel by panel) for each
of the design load combinations. The following steps are involved in designing
the shear reinforcing for a particular wall pier section for a particular design
loading combination.
Determine the factored forces Pu, Mu and Vu that are acting on a leg of the
wall pier section. Note that Pu and Mu are required for the calculation of Vc.
Determine the shear force, Vc, that can be carried by the concrete of the leg
(panel).
Determine the required shear reinforcing to carry the balance of the shear
force.
Step 1 needs no further explanation. The following two sections describe in

detail the algorithms associated with the Steps 2 and 3.
2-20 Wall Pier Shear Design

2.2.1 Determine the Concrete Shear Capacity of the Leg

Given the design force set Pu, Mu and Vu acting on a wall pier section, the shear
force carried by the concrete, Vc, is calculated using the minimum from the
following two equations (ACI 11.5.4.6).
Nu d
3.3 f c t p d +
Vc = (ACI 11.5.4.6, Table 11.5.4.6)
4 Lp
N
L p 1.25 f c + 0.2 u
L pt p t d (ACI 11.5.4.6, Table 11.5.4.6)
Vc 0.6 f c + p
M L
Abs u p
Vu 2
M Lp
The last of the two above equations does not apply if Abs u is negative
Vu 2
or zero, or if Vu is zero.
In the preceding equations, Nu is the axial force, and Nu is positive for

compression and negative for tension. The effective shear depth, d, is taken as
follows:
d = 0.8 Lp (ACI 11.5.2)
f c
A limit of 100 psi on is imposed,
f c
100 psi (ACI 22.5.3.1)
If the tension is large enough that any of the above two equations for Vc results
in a negative number, Vc is set to zero.
f
Note that the term that is used as a multiplier on all c
terms in this
chapter is a shear strength reduction factor that applies to light-weight concrete.
The factor shall normally be 0.75 for lightweight concrete and 1.0 for normal
weight concrete (ACI Table 19.2.4.2). However, the program allows the user to
define the value while defining concrete material property. The program uses
the user input value for .
Wall Pier Shear Design 2-21

Given Vu and Vc, the required shear reinforcement of area/unit length is

calculated as follows:
The shear force is limited to a maximum of
Vmax = (10 )
f c tcp d , where (ACI 11.5.4.3)
d = 0.8Lp (ACI 11.5.2)
The required horizontal shear reinforcement per unit spacing, Av /s, is calcu-
lated as follows:
If Vu (Vc 2 ) ,
Av
= t ,min tcp , (ACI 11.6.1, Table 11.6.1)
s
else if Vc < Vu Vmax ,
Av (Vu Vc )
= , (ACI 11.5.4.8, 11.5.4.4)
s f ys d
Av
t ,min t p (ACI 11.6.2)
s
else if Vu > Vmax ,
a failure condition is declared. (ACI 11.5.4.3)
In the preceding equations, the strength reduction factor is taken as 0.75 for
non-seismic cases vs (ACI 21.2.1), and as 0.6 for seismic cases vs (ACI
21.2.1, 21.2.4). However, those values may be overwritten by the user if so
desired.
If Vu exceeds the maximum permitted value of Vmax, the shear wall section
should be increased in size (ACI 11.5.4.3).
The minimum horizontal volumetric shear rebar ratio, t ,min , and the minimum
vertical volumetric shear rebar ratio, l ,min , are calculated as follows:
2-22 Wall Pier Shear Design

If Vu (Vc 2 ) ,
t ,min =
0.0025 (ACI 11.6.1, Table 11.6.1)
l ,min =
0.0025 (ACI 11.6.1, Table 11.6.1)
else if Vu > (Vc 2 ) ,
t ,min =
0.0025 (ACI 11.6.2(b))
=
l ,min ( )
0.0025 + 0.5 2.5 hw L p ( t 0.0025 ) 0.0025 (ACI 11.6.2(a))
where,
A
t = v (ACI R11.6.1)
st p
A
l = st (ACI R11.6.1)
Lp t p
hw = Story height,
tp = Thickness of the shear wall panel, and
Lp = Length of the shear wall panel.
For shear design of special seismic wall pier legs for seismic load, the
procedure given in this section is modified with the following exceptions.
The concrete shear capacity is taken as follows (ACI 18.10.4.1):
Vc = c f c Acv (ACI 18.10.4.1)
where,
3.0 for hw L p 1.5,

= c 2.0 for hw L p > 2.0, (ACI 18.10.4.1)

interpolated for 1.5 < hw L p < 2.0.
Wall Pier Shear Design 2-23

Acv = Lptp (ACI 18.10.4)
The maximum shear that can be carried by the wall segment irrespective of
the amount of reinforcing bar provided is taken as follows (ACI 18.10.4.4):
Vmax = 8 f c Lptp (ACI 18.10.4.1)
The expression for required shear rebar is modified as follows:
( )
Av Vu c f cL p t p vs
= (ACI 21.9.4.1)
s f ys L p
( )
If Vu exceeds f c L p t p , the t ,min and l ,min is modified as follows:
t ,min =
0.0025 (ACI 18.10.2.1)
l ,min =
0.0025 (ACI 18.10.2.1)
The maximum of all of the calculated Av /s values, obtained from each design
load combination, is reported along with the controlling shear force and
associated design load combination name.
The pier horizontal shear reinforcement requirements reported by the program

are based purely on shear strength considerations. Any minimum shear rebar
requirements to satisfy spacing consideration must be investigated
independently of the program by the user.
2.3 Wall Pier Boundary Elements

This section describes how the program considers the boundary element
requirements for each leg of concrete wall piers using the code when the
Special Structural Wall option is chosen. The program uses an approach based
on the requirements of Section 18.10.6 of the code. The program does not
compute boundary zone requirement when maximum extreme fiber
compressive stress is less than 0.2 f c (ACI 18.10.6.3). When the extreme fiber
compressive stress is equal to or greater than 0.2 f c (ACI 18.10.6.3), the
program also checks ACI Section 18.10.6.2 and reports the boundary zone
2-24 Wall Pier Boundary Elements

requirement when the depth of the compression zone exceeds a limit (ACI
18.10.6.2).
Note that the boundary element requirements are considered separately for
each design load combination that includes seismic load.
2.3.1 Details of Check for Boundary Element Requirements

The following information is made available for the boundary element check:
The design forces Pu, Vu, and Mu for the pier section.
The story height, hw, length of the wall pier panel, Lp, the gross area of the
pier, Ag, and the net area of the pier, Acv. The net area of the pier is the area
bounded by the web thickness, tp, and the length of the pier. (Refer to Figure
2-3 earlier in this chapter for an illustration of the dimensions Lp and tp.)
The program also computes the design displacement u by multiplying the

displacement from load combination with the Cd factor provided in the shear
wall design preferences (Appendix B).
The area of reinforcement in the pier, As. This area of steel is calculated by
the program or it is provided by the user.
The material properties of the pier, f c and fy.
The symmetry of the wall pier (i.e., the left side of the pier is the same as the
right side of the pier). Only the geometry of the pier is considered, not the
reinforcing, when determining if the pier is symmetrical. Figure 2-11 shows
some examples of symmetrical and unsymmetrical wall piers. Note that a
pier defined using Section Designer is assumed to be unsymmetrical, unless
it is made up of a single rectangular shape.
Wall Pier Boundary Elements 2-25

a. Symmetrical c. Unsymmetrical
b. Symmetrical d. Unsymmetrical
Figure 2-11 Example Plan Views of Symmetrical and Unsymmetrical Wall Piers
Using this information, the program calculates the maximum compressive

stress at extreme fiber of concrete pier for the specified load combination.
After the compressive stress at the extreme fiber of the concrete pier is known,
the program calculates the following quantities that are used to determine the
boundary zone requirements. These quantities are: bc, 0.2 f c , u / hw, c.
When the extreme fiber compressive stress, bc, exceeds 0.2 f c, boundary
elements are required (ACI 18.10.6.3), or when the neutral axial depth
calculated from the factored axial force and nominal moment strength are
consistent with design displacement, u, and exceed the following limit:
lw
c (ACI 18.10.6.2)
600 1.5 u / hw
where,
C
u u ,elastic analysis d (ASCE 7-10, 12.8-15)
I
Cd = The deflection amplification factor as taken from ASCE 7-10 Table

12.2-1. It is input in the preferences.
I = The Importance factor determined in accordance with Section

ASCE 11.5.1. It is input in the preferences.
u hw 0.005 (ACI 18.10.6.2(a))

boundary elements are required (ACI 18.10.6).
The program also reports the largest neutral axis depth for each leg and the
boundary zone length computed using ACI 18.10.6.4(a) when the boundary
zone is Not Needed. This information is provided so the user can satisfy the
requirement of ACI Section 18.10..6.4(a) and 18.10..6.5 when the longitudinal
reinforcement ratio at the wall boundary is greater than 400/f y .
If boundary elements are required, the program calculates the minimum

required length of the boundary zone at each end of the wall, LBZ, which is
calculated as follows:
LBZ = max {c 2, c 0.1Lw }. (ACI 18.10.6.4(a))
Figure 2-12 illustrates the boundary zone length LBZ.
Figure 2-12: Illustration of Boundary Zone Length, LBZ
2.3.2 Transverse Reinforcement for Boundary Elements

Where special boundary elements are required by ACI Sections 18.10.6.2 or
18.10.6.3, the wall boundary elements need the total cross-sectional area of
rectangular hoop reinforcement as follows (ACI 18.10.6.4(c), 18.10.6.4(b)):
Ash s = 0.09t p f c f yt (ACI 21-5)
Where special boundary elements are not required by ACI Sections 18.10.6.2
or 21.9.6.3, and the longitudinal reinforcement ratio at the wall boundary is
greater than 400/f y , the user should independently satisfy the requirements of
ACI Sections 18.10.6.1(c), 18.10.4.2, and 18.10.6.5.
Wall Pier Boundary Elements 2-27

However, the program does not calculate and report these values. The user
should independently satisfy the requirements of the sections.

Chapter 3
Spandrel Design
This chapter describes how the program designs concrete shear wall spandrels
for flexure and shear when ACI 318-14 is the selected design code. The
program allows consideration of rectangular sections and T-beam sections for
shear wall spandrels. Note that the program designs spandrels at stations
located at the ends of the spandrel. No design is performed at the center (mid-
length) of the spandrel. The program does not allow shear reinforcing to be
specified and then checked. The program only designs the spandrel for shear
and reports how much shear reinforcing is required.
3.1 Spandrel Flexural Design

In this program, wall spandrels are designed for major direction flexure and
shear only. Effects caused by any axial forces, minor direction bending, torsion
or minor direction shear that may exist in the spandrels must be investigated by
the user independent of the program. Spandrel flexural reinforcing is designed
for each of the design load combinations. The required area of reinforcing for
flexure is calculated and reported only at the ends of the spandrel beam.
The following steps are involved in designing the flexural reinforcing for a par-
ticular wall spandrel section for a particular design loading combination at a
particular station.
3-1
Shear Wall Design Manual ACI 318-14
Determine the maximum factored moment Mu.
Determine the required flexural reinforcing.
These steps are described in the following sections.
3.1.1 Determine the Maximum Factored Moments

In the design of flexural reinforcing for spandrels, the factored moments for
each design load combination at a particular beam station are first obtained.
The beam section is then designed for the maximum positive and the maximum
negative factored moments obtained from all of the design load combinations.
3.1.2 Determine the Required Flexural Reinforcing

In this program, negative beam moments produce top steel. In such cases, the
beam is always designed as a rectangular section.
In this program, positive beam moments produce bottom steel. In such cases,
the beam may be designed as a rectangular section, or as a T-beam section. To
design a spandrel as a T-beam, specify the appropriate slab width and depth
dimensions in the spandrel design overwrites (Appendix B).
The flexural design procedure is based on a simplified rectangular stress block,

as shown in Figure 3-1. The maximum depth of the compression zone, cmax, is
calculated based on the limitation that the tensile steel tension shall not be less
than s,min, which is equal to 0.005 for tension controlled behavior (ACI 9.3.3.1,
21.2.2, Fig. R21.2.2b):
c ,max
cmax = d (ACI 21.2.2)
c ,max + s ,min
where,
c,max = 0.003 (ACI 21.2.2, Fig. R21.2.2b)
s,min = 0.005 (ACI 21.2.2, Fig. R21.2.2b)
3-2 Spandrel Flexural Design

Chapter 3 Spandrel Design
Figure 3-1 Rectangular Spandrel Beam Design, Positive Moment
The maximum allowable depth of the rectangular compression block, amax, is

given by
amax = 1cmax (ACI 22.2.2.4.1)
where 1 is calculated as follows:
f 4000
=
1 0.85 0.05 c , 0.65 1 0.85 (ACI 22.2.2.4.3)
1000
It is assumed that the compression depth carried by the concrete is less than or
equal to amax. When the applied moment exceeds the moment capacity at amax,
the program calculates an area of compression reinforcement assuming that the
additional moment is carried by compression reinforcing and additional tension
reinforcing.
The procedure used by the program for both rectangular and T-beam sections
is given in the subsections that follow.
3.1.2.1 Rectangular Beam Flexural Reinforcing

Refer to Figure 3-1. For a rectangular beam with tensile side reinforcement
only, the factored moment, Mu, is resisted by a couple between the concrete in
Spandrel Flexural Design 3-3

compression and the tension in reinforcing steel. This expression is given as

follows.
a
=M u Cc dspandrel
2
Where Cc = 0.85b f c ats and dspandrel is equal to hs dr-bot for positive bending
and hs dr-top for negative bending.
In designing for a factored negative or positive moment, Mu (i.e., designing top

or bottom steel), the depth of the compression block is given by a.
2M u
a =dspandrel dspandrel
2
(ACI 22.2)
0.85 f c b ts
The program uses the preceding equation to determine the depth of the com-
pression block, a. The depth of the compression block, a, is compared with
amax.
3.1.2.1.1 Tension Reinforcing Only Required

If a amax (ACI 9.3.3.1, 21.2.2, 22.2.2.4.1), the area of tensile steel
reinforcement is then given by
Mu
As =
a
b f y dspandrel
2
The steel is placed at the bottom for positive moment and at the top for nega-
tive moment.
Note: The program reports the ratio of top and bottom steel required in the web area.
When compression steel is required, those ratios may be large because there is no limit
on them. However, the program reports an overstress when the ratio exceeds 4%.
3.1.2.1.2 Tension and Compression Reinforcing Required

If a > amax, compression reinforcement is required (ACI 9.3.3.1, 21.2.2,
22.2.2.4.1) and is calculated as follows:

The depth of the concrete compression block, a, is set equal to a = amax.

The compressive force developed in the concrete alone is given by
Cc = 0.85 fcamax t s . (ACI 22.2.2.4.1)
The moment resisted by the couple between the concrete in compression

and the tension steel, Muc, is given by
a
M uc =
b Cc dspandrel max .
2
Therefore, the additional moment to be resisted by the couple between the

compression steel and the additional tension steel, Mus, is given by
M=
us Mu Muc
The force carried by the compression steel, Cs, is given by
Mus
Cs = .
dspandrel dr
Referring to Figure 3-1, the strain in the compression steel, 's, is given by
c ,max ( c d r )
s = .
c
The stress in the compression steel, f 's, is given by
c ,max Es ( c d r )
f s = Es s = . (ACI 9.2.1.2, 9.5.2.1, 20.2.2, 22.2.1.2)
c
The term dr in the preceding equations is equal to dr-top for positive bending
and equal to dr-bot for negative bending. The term c is equal to amax 1.
The total required area of compression steel, A's, is calculated using the follow-
ing equation.
Cs
As = .
b ( f s 0.85 f c )

The required area of tension steel for balancing the compression in the concrete
web, Asw, is:
M uc
Asw = .
a
b f y dspandrel max
2
The required area of tension steel for balancing the compression steel, Asc, is:
M us
Asc = .
b f y ( dspandrel d r )
In the preceding equations, dspandrel is equal to hs dr-bot for positive bending and
hs dr-top for negative bending. dr is equal to dr-top for positive bending and dr-bot
for negative bending.
The total tension reinforcement As is given by.
=
As Asw + Asc
The total tension reinforcement As is to be placed at the bottom of the spandrel

beam and total compression reinforcement As' at the top for positive bending
and vice versa for negative bending.
3.1.2.2 T-Beam Flexural Reinforcing

T-beam action is considered effective for positive moment only. When design-
ing T-beams for negative moment (i.e., designing top steel), the calculation of
required steel is as described in the previous section for rectangular sections.
No T-beam data is used in this design. The width of the beam is taken equal to
the width of the web.
For positive moment, the depth of the compression block, a, and the method
for calculating the required reinforcing steel relates the compression block
depth, a, as previously described in Section 3.1.2, to the depth of the T-beam
flange, ds. See Figure 3-2.
If a ds, the subsequent calculations for the reinforcing steel are exactly
the same as previously defined for rectangular section design. However, in
that case, the width of the compression block is taken to be equal to the

width of the compression flange, bs. Compression reinforcement is provid-

ed when the dimension a exceeds amax.
If a > ds, the subsequent calculations for the required area of reinforcing
steel are performed in two parts. First, the tension steel required to balance
the compressive force in the flange is determined, and second, the tension
steel required to balance the compressive force in the web is determined. If
necessary, compression steel is added to help resist the design moment.
The remainder of this section describes in detail the design process used by the
program for T-beam spandrels when a > ds.
Refer to Figure 3-2. The protruding portion of the flange is shown cross-
hatched. The compression force in the protruding portion of the flange, Cf, is
given by.
=C f 0.85 fc ( bs t s ) ds (ACI 22.2.2.4.1)
Note: T-beam action is considered for positive moment only.

The required area of tension steel for balancing the compression force in the
concrete flange, Asf, is:
Cf
Asf =
fy
The portion of the total moment, Mu, that is resisted by the flange, Muf, is given
by.
d
M uf =
b C f dspandrel s
2
Therefore, the balance of the moment to be carried by the web, Muw, is given by
M=
uw Mu Muf

Figure 3-2: Design of a Wall Spandrel with a T-Beam Section, Positive Moment
The web is a rectangular section of width ts and depth hs for which the design
depth of the compression block, a1, is recalculated as:
2 M uw
a1 =dspandrel dspandrel
2
.
0.85 f c b ts
3.1.2.2.1 Tension Reinforcing Only Required

If a1 amax, no compression reinforcing is required and the program calculates
the area of tension steel for balancing the compression force in the concrete
web, Asw, using the following equation.
M uw
Asw = .
a
b f y dspandrel 1
2
The total tension reinforcement As is given by:
=
As Asf + Asw .
The total tension reinforcement, As, is to be placed at the bottom of the beam
for positive bending.

3.1.2.2.2 Tension and Compression Reinforcing Required

If a1 > amax, compression reinforcing is required. In that case, the required
reinforcing is computed as follows.
The depth of the concrete compression block, a, is set equal to a = amax.

The compressive force developed in the web concrete alone is given by
Cw = 0.85 fcat s .
The moment resisted by the couple between the concrete web in compres-
sion and the tension steel, Muc, is given by
a
M uc =
b Cw dspandrel .
2
Therefore, the additional moment to be resisted by the couple between the

compression steel and the tension steel, Mus, is given by:
=
M us Muw Muc .
Referring to Figure 3-2, the force carried by the compression steel, Cs, is
given by:
M us
Cs =
dspandrel d r-top
The strain in the compression steel, s', is given by
c ,max ( c d r-top )
s = .
c
The stress in the compression steel, fs', is given by
c ,max Es ( c d r-top )
f s E=
= s s
.
c
The term c is equal to amax 1 .
The required area of compression steel, As', is calculated using

Cs
As =
b f s
The required area of tension steel for balancing the compression in the concrete
web, Asw, is:
M uc
Asw = .
a
b f y dspandrel
2
The required area of tension steel for balancing the compression steel, Asc, is:
M us
Asc = .
b f y ( dspandrel d r-top )
The total tension reinforcement As is given by
As = Asf + Asw + Asc .
The total tension reinforcement, As is to be placed at the bottom of the beam,

and total compression reinforcement, As' at the top of the beam.
3.2 Spandrel Shear Design

The program allows consideration of rectangular sections and T-beam sections
for wall spandrels. The shear design for both of these types of spandrel sections
is identical.
The wall spandrel shear reinforcing is designed for each of the design load
combinations. The required area of reinforcing for vertical shear is calculated
only at the ends of the spandrel beam.
In this program, wall spandrels are designed for major direction flexure and
shear forces only. Effects caused by any axial forces, minor direction bending,
torsion or minor direction shear that may exist in the spandrels must be investi-
gated by the user independent of the program.
3-10 Spandrel Shear Design

The following steps are involved in designing the shear reinforcing for a par-
ticular wall spandrel section for a particular design loading combination at a
particular station.
1. Determine the factored shear force Vu.
2. Determine the shear force, Vc, that can be carried by the concrete.
3. Determine the required shear reinforcing to carry the balance of the shear
force.
Note: In the overwrites, Vc can be specified to be ignored (set to zero) for spandrel
shear calculations.
Step 1 needs no further explanation. The following two sections describe in de-
tail the algorithms associated with Steps 2 and 3.
3.2.1 Determine the Concrete Shear Capacity

The shear force carried by the concrete, Vc, is given by
Vc = 2 f c ts dspandrel (ACI 22.5.5.1)
The shear force carried by the concrete, Vc, is calculated using the following
equation when the spandrel is subjected to axial compression.
Nu
Vc =2 1 + f c ts dspandrel (ACI 22.5.6.1, Table 22.5.6.1(b))
2000 Ag

The shear force carried by the concrete, Vc, is calculated using the following
equation when the spandrel is subjected to axial tension. Nu is negative for ten-
sion.
Nu
2 1 +
Vc = ft d 0 (ACI 22.5.7.1)
500 Ag c s spandrel

Note that an overwrite is available that can be used to ignore the concrete con-
tribution to the shear strength of the spandrel. If this overwrite is activated, the
program sets Vc to zero for the spandrel.
Spandrel Shear Design 3-11

In all of the preceding cases, a limit on fc is imposed as 100 psi.
fc 100 psi (ACI 22.5.3.1)
The factor shall normally be 0.75 for lightweight concrete and 1.0 for normal
weight concrete (ACI Table 19.2.4.2). However, the program allows the user to
define the value while defining concrete material property. The program uses
the user input value for .
3.2.2 Determine the Required Shear Reinforcing

One of the terms used in calculating the spandrel shear reinforcing is dspandrel,
which is the distance from the extreme compression fiber to the centroid of the
tension steel. For shear design, the program takes dspandrel to be equal to the
smaller of hs dr-top and hs dr-bot.
3.2.2.1 Seismic and Nonseismic Spandrels

In this entire subsection the term is equal to vns for nonseismic spandrels and
to vs for seismic spandrels.
Given Vu and Vc, the required force to be carried by the shear reinforcing, Vs, is
given by (ACI 22.5.1.1, 22.5.10.1).
Vu
Vs = Vn Vc = Vc (ACI 22.5.1.1, 22.5.10.1)

If Vs as calculated exceeds 8 fc ts dspandrel , a failure condition is reported (ACI

22.5.1.2).
Given Vs, initially calculate the required vertical shear reinforcing in area per
unit length (e.g., in2/in) for both seismic and nonseismic wall spandrels (as in-
dicated in the preferences). Note that additional requirements that are checked
for both seismic and nonseismic wall spandrels are given by the following
equation (ACI 20.5.10.5.3):
Av Vs Vu Vc
= = (ACI 20.5.10.5.3, 11.5.4.8)
s f ys dspandrel f ys dspandrel

The output units for the distributed shear reinforcing can be set in the Display
Units preferences.
The following additional checks also are performed for both seismic and
nonseismic spandrels.
Ls
When > 4 , the program verifies:
dspandrel

Vu Vc + 8 f c ts dspandrel , (ACI 22.5.1.2)

otherwise a failure condition is declared.
Ls Vu
When > 4 and > 0.5Vc (ACI 9.6.3), the minimum areas of verti-
dspandrel
cal and horizontal shear reinforcing in the spandrel are as follows:
Av ,min t 50ts
= 0.75 f c s (ACI 9.6.3.3, Table 9.6.3.3)
s f ys f ys
Ah-min
= 0. (ACI 9.6.3.1)
s
Ls Vu
When > 4 and 0.5Vc , the minimum areas of vertical and hori-
dspandrel
zontal shear reinforcing in the spandrel are as follows (ACI 9.6.3.1):
Av -min Ah-min
= = 0. (ACI 9.6.3.1)
s s
Ls
When 4 , the program verifies:
dspandrel
Vu 10 f c ts dspandrel (ACI 9.9.2.1)
otherwise a failure condition is declared.
Spandrel Shear Design 3-13

For this condition, the minimum areas of horizontal and vertical shear rein-
forcing in the spandrel are:
Av -min = 0.0025ts (ACI 9.9.3.1(a))
Ah-min = 0.0025ts . (ACI 9.9.3.1(b))
When calculating the Ls /dspandrel term, the program always uses the smallest val-
ue of dspandrel that is applicable to the spandrel.
3.2.2.2 Seismic Spandrels Only

For seismic spandrels only, in addition to the requirements of the previous sub-
section, an area of diagonal shear reinforcement in coupling beams is also cal-
Ls
culated when 4 using the following equation (ACI 18.10.7.2,
dspandrel
18.10.7.3).
Vu
Avd = , (ACI 18.10.7.4)
2 s f ys sin
where s = 0.75 (ACI 21.2-1, Table 21.2.1), and
0.8hs
sin = ,
L2s + (0.8hs ) 2
where hs is the height of the spandrel and Ls is the length of the spandrel.
In the output, the program reports the diagonal shear reinforcing as required or
not required (i.e., optional). The diagonal shear reinforcing is reported as re-
quired when Vu > 4 f c dbspandrel and Ls dspandrel 2 (ACI 18.10.7.2,
18.10.7.3).
For nonseismic spandrels, Avd is reported as zero.

Appendix A
Shear Wall Design Preferences
The shear wall design preferences are basic properties that apply to all wall pier
and spandrel elements. Table A-1 identifies shear wall design preferences for
ACI 318-14. Default values are provided for all shear wall design preference
items. Thus, it is not required that preferences be specified. However, at least
review the default values for the preference items to make sure they are
acceptable. Refer to the program Help for an explanation of how to change a
preference.
Table A-1 Shear Wall Preferences

Possible Default
Item Values Value Description
Design Code Any code in the Design code used for design of concrete
program shear wall elements (wall piers and
spandrels)
Phi (Tension >0 0.9 The strength reduction factor for bending in
Controlled) a wall pier or spandrel in tension controlled
section.
Phi >0 0.65 The strength reduction factor for axial
(Compression compression in a wall pier.
Controlled)
Phi (Shear >0 0.75 The strength reduction factor for shear in a
and/or Torsion) wall pier or spandrel for a nonseismic
condition.
A-1
Table A-1 Shear Wall Preferences

Possible Default
Item Values Value Description
Phi (Shear >0 0.6 The strength reduction factor for shear in a
Seismic) wall pier or spandrel for a seismic condition.
Pmax Factor >0 0.8 A factor used to reduce the allowable
maximum compressive design strength.
Number of 4 24 Number of equally spaced interaction
Curves curves used to create a full 360-degree
interaction surface (this item should be a
multiple of four). We recommend that you
use 24 for this item.
Number of 11 11 Number of points used for defining a single
Points curve in a wall pier interaction surface (this
item should be odd).
Edge Design >0 0.06 Maximum ratio of tension reinforcing
PT-max allowed in edge members, PTmax.
Edge Design >0 0.04 Maximum ratio of compression reinforcing
PC-max allowed in edge members, PCmax.
Section Design Section 0.02 The maximum ratio of reinforcing
IP-Max Design IP-Min considered in the design of a pier with a
Section Designer section.
Section Design >0 0.0025 The minimum ratio of reinforcing considered
IP-Min in the design of a pier with a Section
Designer section.
Utilization Factor >0 0.95 Stress ratios that are less than or equal to
Limit this value are considered acceptable.
A-2
Appendix B
Design Overwrites
The shear wall design overwrites are basic assignments that apply only to those
piers or spandrels to which they are assigned. The overwrites for piers and
spandrels are separate. Tables B-1 and B-2 identify the shear wall overwrites
for piers and spandrels, respectively, for ACI 318-14. Note that the available
overwrites change depending on the pier section type (Uniform Reinforcing,
General Reinforcing, or Simplified T and C).
Default values are provided for all pier and spandrel overwrite items. Thus, it is
not necessary to specify or change any of the overwrites. However, at least
review the default values for the overwrite items to make sure they are accept-
able. When changes are made to overwrite items, the program applies the
changes only to the elements to which they are specifically assigned; that is, to
the elements that are selected when the overwrites are changed. Refer to the
program Help for an explanation of how to change the overwrites.
Table B-1: Pier Design Overwrites
Pier Overwrite Possible Default

Item Values Value Pier Overwrite Description
Design this Pier Yes or No Yes Toggle for design of the pier when the
Design menu > Shear Wall Design > Start
Design/Check command is clicked.
B-1

LL Reduction Program Program A reducible live load is multiplied by this
Factor calculated, calculated factor to obtain the reduced live load.
>0 Entering 0 for this item means that it is
program calculated. See the subsection
entitled "LL Reduction Factor" for more
information.
Design is Yes or No Yes Toggle for design as seismic or nonseismic.
Special Seismic Additional design checks are performed for
seismic elements compared to nonseismic
elements. Also, in some cases, the strength
reduction factors are different.
Pier Section Uniform Uniform This item indicates the type of pier. The
Type Reinforcing, Reinforcing General Reinforcing option is not available
General unless General pier sections have
Reinforcing, previously been defined in Section
Simplified Designer.
T and C
Overwrites Applicable to Uniform Reinforcing Pier Sections

Edge Bar Name Any defined bar Varies The size of the uniformly spaced edge bars.
size
Edge Bar >0 12" The spacing of the uniformly spaced edge
Spacing bars.
End/Corner Bar Any defined bar Varies The size of end and corner bars.
Name size
Clear Cover >0 1.5" The clear cover for the edge, end and
corners bars.
Material Any defined Varies The material property associated with the
concrete pier.
material property
Check/Design Check or Design This item indicate whether the pier section
Reinforcing Design is to be designed or checked.
Overwrites Applicable to General Reinforcing Pier Sections

Section Bottom Any general pier The first pier in Name of a pier section, defined in Section
section defined the list of Designer that is assigned to the bottom of
in Section Section the pier.
Designer Designer piers
B-2
Appendix C Overwrites

Section Top Any general pier The first pier in Name of a pier section, defined in Section
section defined the list of Designer, that is assigned to the top of the
in Section pier.
Section Designer piers
Designer
Check/Design Check or Design This item indicates whether the pier section
Reinforcing Design is to be designed or checked.
Overwrites Applicable to Simplified T and C Pier Sections

ThickBot Program Program Wall pier thickness at bottom of pier, tp.
calculated, calculated Inputting 0 means the item is to be program
or > 0 calculated.
LengthBot Program Program Wall pier length at bottom of pier, Lp.
calculated, calculated Inputting 0 means the item is to be program
or > 0 calculated.
DB1LeftBot 0 0 Length of the bottom of a user-defined edge
member on the left side of a wall pier,
DB1left.
DB2LeftBot 0 0 Width of the bottom of a user-defined edge
DB2left. See Figure 1 in Shear Wall Design
Technical Note 6 Wall Pier Design Section.
See the subsection entitled "User-Defined
Edge Members" for more information.
DB1RightBot 0 Same as Length of the bottom of a user-defined edge
DB1-left-bot member on the right side of a wall pier,
DB1right.
DB2RightBot 0 Same as Width of the bottom of a user-defined edge
DB2right.
ThickTop Program Program Wall pier thickness at top of pier,
calculated, calculated tp. Inputting 0 means the item is to be
or > 0 program calculated.
LengthTop Program Program Wall pier length at top of pier, Lp. Inputting 0
calculated, calculated means the item is to be program calculated.
or > 0
DB1LeftTop 0 0 Length of the top of a user-defined edge
DB1left.
DB2LeftTop 0 0 Width of the top of a user-defined edge
DB2left.
B-3

DB1RightTop 0 Same as Length of the top of a user-defined edge
DB1right.
DB2RightTop 0 Same as Width of the top of a user-defined edge
DB2right.
Material Any defined See "Material Material property associated with the pier.
concrete Properties" in
material Shear Wall
property Design
Technical Note 6
Wall Pier Design
Section
Edge Design >0 Specified in Maximum ratio of compression
PC-max Preferences reinforcing allowed in edge members,
PCmax.
Edge Design >0 Specified in Maximum ratio of tension reinforcing
PT-max Preferences allowed in edge members, PTmax.
Table B-2 Spandrel Design Overwrites
Spandrel Possible Default

Overwrite Item Values Value Spandrel Overwrite Description
Design this Yes or No Yes Toggle for design of the spandrel when the
Spandrel Design menu > Shear Wall Design > Start
Design/Check command is clicked.
LL Reduction Program Program A reducible live load is multiplied by this
Factor calculated, calculated factor to obtain the reduced live load.
>0 Entering 0 for this item means that it is
program calculated. See the subsection
entitled "LL Reduction Factor" later in this
Appendix for more information.
Design is Yes or No Yes Toggle for design as seismic or nonseismic.
Special Seismic Additional design checks are performed for
seismic elements compared to nonseismic
elements. Also, in some cases the strength
reduction factors are different.
Length Program Program Wall spandrel length, Ls. Inputting 0 means
calculated, calculated the item is to be program calculated.
or > 0
B-4
Appendix C Overwrites

ThickLeft Program Program Wall spandrel thickness at left side of
calculated, calculated spandrel, ts. Inputting 0 means the item is to
or > 0 be program calculated.
DepthLeft Program Program Wall spandrel depth at left side of spandrel,
calculated, calculated hs. Inputting 0 means the item is to be
or > 0 program calculated.
CoverBotLeft Program Program Distance from bottom of spandrel to
calculated, calculated centroid of bottom reinforcing, dr-bot left on left
or > 0 side of beam. Inputting 0 means the item is
to be program calculated as 0.1hs.
CoverTopLeft Program Program Distance from top of spandrel to centroid of
calculated, calculated top reinforcing, dr-top left on left side of beam.
or > 0 Inputting 0 means the item is to be program
calculated as 0.1hs.
SlabWidthLeft 0 0 Slab width for T-beam at left end of
spandrel, bs.
SlabDepthLeft 0 0 Slab depth for T-beam at left end of
spandrel, ds.
ThickRight Program Program Wall spandrel thickness at right side of
calculated, calculated spandrel, ts. Inputting 0 means the item is to
or > 0 be program calculated.
DepthRight Program Program Wall spandrel depth at right side of
calculated, calculated spandrel, hs. Inputting 0 means the item is
or > 0 to be program calculated.
CoverBotRight Program Program Distance from bottom of spandrel to
calculated, calculated centroid of bottom reinforcing, dr-bot right on
or > 0 right side of beam. Inputting 0 means the
item is to be program calculated as 0.1hs.
Cover- Program Program Distance from top of spandrel to centroid of
TopRight calculated, calculated top reinforcing, dr-top right on right side of
or > 0 beam. Inputting 0 means the item is to be
program calculated as 0.1hs.
SlabWidthRight 0 0 Slab width for T-beam at right end of
spandrel, bs.
SlabDepthRight 0 0 Slab depth for T-beam at right end of
spandrel, ds.
B-5

Material Any defined See "Default Material property associated with the
concrete Design Material spandrel.
material Property" in Shear
property Wall Design
Technical Note 7
Wall Spandrel
Design Sections
Consider Vc Yes or No Yes Toggle switch to consider Vc (concrete
shear capacity) when computing the
shear capacity of the spandrel.
B.1 LL Reduction Factor

If the LL Reduction Factor is program calculated, it is based on the live load
reduction method chosen in the live load reduction preferences. If you specify
your own LL Reduction Factor, the program ignores any reduction method
specified in the live load reduction preferences and simply calculates the
reduced live load for a pier or spandrel by multiplying the specified LL
Reduction Factor times the reducible live load.
Important Note: The LL reduction factor is not applied to any load

combination that is included in a design load combination (combo or combos).
For example, assume you have two static load cases labeled DL and RLL. DL
is a dead load and RLL is a reducible live load. Now assume that you create a
design load combination named DESCOMB1 that includes DL and RLL. Then
for design load combination DESCOMB1, the RLL load is multiplied by the
LL reduction factor. Next assume that you create a load combination called
COMB2 that includes RLL. Now assume that you create a design load
combination called DESCOMB3 that included DL and COMB2. For design
load combination DESCOMB3, the RLL load that is part of COMB2 is not
multiplied by the LL reduction factor.
B.2 User-Defined Edge Members

When defining a user-defined edge member, you must specify both a nonzero
value for DB1 and a nonzero value for DB2. If either DB1 or DB2 is specified
as zero, the edge member width is taken as the same as the pier thickness and
the edge member length is determined by the program.
B-6
Appendix C
Analysis Sections and Design Sections
It is important to understand the difference between analysis sections and

design sections when performing shear wall design. Analysis sections are
simply the objects defined in your model that make up the pier or spandrel
section. The analysis section for wall piers is the assemblage of wall and
column sections that make up the pier. Similarly, the analysis section for
spandrels is the assemblage of wall and beam sections that make up the
spandrel. The analysis is based on these section properties, and thus, the design
forces are based on these analysis section properties.
The design section is completely separate from the analysis section. Three
types of pier design sections are available. They are:
Uniform Reinforcing Section: For flexural designs and/or checks, the

program automatically (and internally) creates a Section Designer pier
section of the same shape as the analysis section pier. Uniform reinforcing
is placed in this pier. The reinforcing can be modified in the pier
overwrites. The Uniform Reinforcing Section pier may be planar or it may
be three-dimensional.
For shear design and boundary zone checks, the program automatically
(and internally) breaks the analysis section pier up into planar legs and then
performs the design on each leg separately and reports the results
separately for each leg. Note that the planar legs are derived from the area
C-1
objects defined in the model, not from the pier section defined in Section
Designer. The pier section defined in Section Designer is only used for the
flexural design/check.
General Reinforcing Section: For flexural designs and/or checks, the pier
geometry and the reinforcing are defined by the user in the Section
Designer utility. The pier defined in Section Designer may be planar or it
may be three-dimensional.
For shear design and boundary zone checks, the program automatically
(and internally) breaks the analysis section pier into planar legs and then
performs the design on each leg separately and reports the results
separately for each leg. Note that the planar legs are derived from the area
objects defined in the model, not from the pier section defined in Section
Designer. The pier section defined in Section Designer is only used for the
flexural design/check.
Simplified Pier Section: This pier section is defined in the pier design
overwrites. The simplified section is defined by a length and a thickness.
The length is in the pier 2-axis direction and the thickness is in the pier 3-
axis direction.
In addition, you can, if desired, specify thickened edge members at one or

both ends of the simplified pier section. You cannot specify reinforcing in
a simplified section. Thus, the simplified section can only be used for
design, not for checking user-specified sections. Simplified sections are
always planar.
Only one type of spandrel design section is available. It is defined in the

spandrel design overwrites. A typical spandrel is defined by a depth,
thickness and length. The depth is in the spandrel 2-axis direction; the
thickness is in the spandrel 3-axis direction; and the length is in the
spandrel 1-axis direction. Spandrel sections are always planar.
In addition, you can, if desired, specify a slab thickness and depth, making
the spandrel design section into a T-beam. You cannot specify reinforcing
in a spandrel section. Thus, you can only design spandrel sections, not
check them.
C-2
Appendix D Analysis Section and Design Sections
The pier and spandrel design sections are designed for the forces obtained
from the program's analysis, which is based on the analysis sections. In other
words, the design sections are designed based on the forces obtained for the
analysis sections.
C-3
Bibliography
ACI, 2014. Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete (ACI 318-14)
and Commentary (ACI 318R-14), American Concrete Institute, 38800
Country Club Drive, Farmington Hills, Michigan.
CSI, 2014. CSI Analysis Reference Manual, Computers and Structures, Inc.,
Walnut Creek, California.
ICC, 2012. International Building Code, International Code Council, Inc., 4051
West Flossmoor Road, Country Club Hills, Illinois 60478.
White, D. W. and J. F. Hajjar, 1991. Application of Second-Order Elastic

Analysis in LRFD: Research to Practice, Engineering Journal, American
Institute of Steel Construction, Inc., Vol. 28, No. 4.
Bibliography - i

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Shear Wall Design Manual

ISO ETA082914M61 Rev. 0

Copyright Computers & Structures, Inc., 1978-2014

No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any

Further information and copies of this documentation may be obtained from:

Computers & Structures, Inc.

info@csiamerica.com (for general information)

CONSIDERABLE TIME, EFFORT AND EXPENSE HAVE GONE INTO THE

THIS PRODUCT IS A PRACTICAL AND POWERFUL TOOL FOR STRUCTURAL

THE INFORMATION PRODUCED BY THE SOFTWARE MUST BE CHECKED BY

Shear Wall Design

Appendix A Shear Wall Design Preferences

Appendix B Design Procedure Overwrites

Appendix C Analysis Sections and Design Sections

The design is based on loading combinations specified by the user (Section

The program performs the following design, check, or analysis procedures in

Design of concrete wall piers for shear (Chapter 2)

Consideration of the boundary element requirements for concrete wall piers

Design of concrete shear wall spandrels for flexure (Chapter 3)

Design of concrete wall spandrels for shear (Chapter 3)

Ag Gross area of a wall pier, in2

Ah-min Minimum required area of distributed horizontal reinforcing

As Area of reinforcing steel, in2

Asc Area of reinforcing steel required for compression in a pier

Asc-max Maximum area of compression reinforcing steel in a wall pier

Ast Area of reinforcing steel required for tension in a pier edge

Ast-max Maximum area of tension reinforcing steel in a wall pier edge

Av Area of reinforcing steel required for shear, in2 / in

Avd Area of diagonal shear reinforcement in a coupling beam, in2

Av-min Minimum required area of distributed vertical reinforcing steel

A's Area of compression reinforcing steel in a spandrel, in2

B1, B2... Length of a concrete edge member in a wall with uniform

Cc Concrete compression force in a wall pier or spandrel, lbs

Cf Concrete compression force in the extruding portion of a T-

Cs Compression force in wall pier or spandrel reinforcing steel, lbs

Cw Concrete compression force in the web of a T-beam, lbs

D/C Demand/Capacity ratio as measured on an interaction curve for

Es Modulus of elasticity of reinforcing steel, psi

IP-max The maximum ratio of reinforcing considered in the design of a

IP-min The minimum ratio of reinforcing considered in the design of a

LBZ Horizontal length of the boundary zone at each end of a wall

Lp Horizontal length of wall pier leg, in. This can be different at

Ls Horizontal length of wall spandrel, in

Mn Nominal bending strength, lb-in

Mu Factored bending moment at a design section, lb-in

Muc In a wall spandrel with compression reinforcing, the factored

Muf In a wall spandrel with a T-beam section and compression

Mus In a wall spandrel with compression reinforcing, the factored

Muw In a wall spandrel with a T-beam section and compression

OC On a wall pier interaction curve the distance from the origin to

OL On a wall pier interaction curve the distance from the origin to

Pb The axial force in a wall pier at a balanced strain condition, lbs

Pmax Limit on the maximum compressive design strength specified

Pmax Factor Factor used to reduce the allowable maximum compressive

Pn Nominal axial strength, lbs

Po Nominal axial load strength of a wall pier, lbs

Pu Factored axial force at a design section, lbs

PCmax Maximum ratio of compression steel in an edge member of a

PTmax Maximum ratio of tension steel in an edge member of a wall