Webinar: Adjustments Needed in the ACI 318-19 Design and Detailing Requirements for Special Reinforced Concrete Shear Walls

It is common knowledge by now that very major changes in the design and detailing requirements for special shear walls was made in ACI 318-19,, which goes into effect in California on January 1, 2023. Among the most important of the changes from ACI 318-14 are the following:

1. Shear amplification – design shear (required shear strength) Vu of ACI 318-14 is required to be amplified by a factor of up to 3 (similar to New Zealand, Canada).
2. Improved wall boundary and wall web detailing – required are overlapping hoops if the boundary zone dimensions exceed 2:1, crossties with 135-135 degree hooks on both ends, and 135-135 degree crossties on web vertical bars.
3. Check on mean top-of-wall drift capacity at 20% loss of lateral strength – a low probability of lateral strength loss at MCE-level hazard is required, and
4. Minimum wall boundary longitudinal reinforcement – this is required to limit the potential of brittle tension failures for walls that are lightly reinforced.
5. Severe restrictions on lap splice locations.