KE Shear Wall
KOUP ENGINEERING SHEAR WALL SOFTWARE
KE SHEAR WALL
AN ENHANCED SOFTWARE FOR ANALYSIS OF SHEAR WALLS
USING STRUT AND TIE METHOD
WHAT IS KOUP ENGINEERING SHEAR WALL (KE SHEAR WALL)?
KE SHEAR WALL is an enhanced software for generating and editing truss and/or grillage models in ETABS for analysis of shear walls under in-plane lateral loadings. Truss analysis, or alternatively the grillage method, is a form of strut and tie analysis which is the commonly used and recommended procedure for seismic analysis of reinforced concrete floor diaphragms in New Zealand. Details of the grillage analysis method for seismic analysis of floor diaphragms are outlined in Appendix CD5 of the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering guidelines for seismic assessment of existing buildings.
Following the successful launch of the Auto Diaphragm software, we have now completed development of a similar software for grillage analysis of shear walls which significantly facilitates generating strut and tie grillage models within the ETABS platform.
WHY USE STRUT AND TIE ANALYSIS FOR THE ANALYSIS OF SHEAR WALLS?
The fundamental assumption in the theory of bending—that plane sections remain plane—may not be valid for shear walls. In regions where shear forces are significant, this assumption may not hold true. Shear deformations can lead to nonlinear strain distributions across the thickness of the wall, causing the wall to experience warping or distortion that contradicts the plane sections assumption. Therefore, alternative analysis procedures are often required for more accurate analysis. Among these procedures, strut and tie analysis is arguably the most practical solution.
The New Zealand standard for the design of reinforced concrete structures (NZS3101:2006), along with several other international standards, mandates the strut and tie method for the analysis of squat walls. Moreover, for shear walls with irregular openings, strut and tie is the recommended analysis procedure.
WHY USE THE GRILLAGE ANALYSIS METHOD
Strut and tie analysis can be performed by hand for simple shear walls. However, the procedure is generally cumbersome and time-consuming. More complex cases are more effectively solved using the grillage method. For instance, in shear walls with several openings over multiple levels, the conventional strut and tie analysis procedure may not be practical for daily office design applications. The grillage method provides a more systematic and efficient approach, allowing engineers to model and analyse complex shear walls with greater accuracy and less effort.
Additionally, the grillage method offers flexibility in handling various geometric configurations and load conditions, making it an indispensable tool for modern structural design. This method also enhances the ability to visualize internal force paths, which is crucial for ensuring the safety and reliability of shear walls in seismic regions.
WHY CHOOSE KE SHEAR WALL SOFTWARE?
KE SHEAR WALL software is an essential tool for engineers looking to streamline and enhance their shear wall analysis process. Unlike traditional methods, which can be time-consuming and complex, KE SHEAR WALL integrates seamlessly with ETABS, offering an intuitive interface that simplifies the generation of accurate strut and tie or grillage models.
By automating many of the tedious aspects of shear wall analysis, this software not only saves valuable time but also reduces the potential for human error, leading to more reliable results. The advanced customization options and the ability to handle complex wall configurations make KE SHEAR WALL particularly useful for both straightforward and intricate design projects. Whether you’re dealing with multiple openings, irregular geometries, or complex load conditions, KE SHEAR WALL provides the precision and flexibility needed to ensure that your structural designs meet the highest standards. This software is not just a tool; it’s an investment in the quality and reliability of your engineering solutions.
HOW DOES KE SHEAR WALL WORK
KE SHEAR WALL is an add-on software for ETABS, a building analysis and design software by CSI. Similar to the Auto Diaphragm software, it opens an existing ETABS model and loads all relevant information. Based on a 3D model in ETABS, KE SHEAR WALL presents a graphical view of the shear walls in the model. Users can select a given shear wall, choose reference points, and generate the grillage model.
The procedure and methodologies used for defining cross-sections and generating the grillage model are similar to those in Auto Diaphragm.
KE SHEAR WALL offers enhanced customization options, allowing users to modify grid spacing, refine cross-section details, and easily integrate changes into the existing ETABS model. The intuitive interface also guides users through the entire process, ensuring accuracy while minimizing the time required for model setup. Moreover, the software’s capability to handle complex shear wall configurations across multiple stories makes it a valuable tool for both simple and advanced structural design projects.
KEY FEATURES OF KE SHEAR WALL
1) Automatic uploading of ETABS model resulting in automatic reading of dimensions of all shear walls in the model
2) Ability to generate strut and tie for several shear wall at the same time.
3) Graphical display of shear walls in the ETABS model within KE Shear wall and indicating selected walls to generate grillage
4) Automatic generation of strut and tie components based on a user defied maximum grid spacing and considering openings
5) Advanced definition of cross sections for strut and tie components based on the grid spacings considering wall boundaries
6) Providing users with the ability to easily try smaller and larger grid spacings
7) The user ability to access all ETABS facilities including being able to change/vary cross sections, delete unwanted components, change cross sections and many more.