Seismic Performance Evaluation of an Irregular Five-Story Reinforced Concrete Building Under Various Shear Wall Placement Configurations Using Pushover Analysis

Abstract

Earthquakes pose significant risks to buildings in seismically active regions, and evaluating structural performance under lateral loads is essential, particularly for irregular buildings that are more susceptible to torsional effects and nonuniform deformation. This study contributes comparative evidence on the influence of shear wall placement on seismic response parameters of irregular reinforced concrete buildings using nonlinear pushover analysis. Structural parameters were modeled in ETABS v19 in accordance with ACI 318-19, AISC 360-10, and NSCP 2015. Pushover curves in both the X and Y directions were generated to identify first-hinge formation, performance-point capacities, plastic-hinge distribution, and performance indicators such as displacement demand, acceleration response, and fundamental period. Statistical tests (ANOVA and Post Hoc) were conducted to determine significant differences among the three designs. Findings show that the corner configuration achieved the highest base shear capacity but was more torsionally sensitive. The inner-center layout produced the largest displacements and longest time periods, indicating higher flexibility but reduced drift control. The outer-center configuration demonstrated the most balanced response, with efficient drift reduction, moderate stiffness, fewer critical hinges, and performance consistently within Immediate Occupancy limits. These results confirm that shear wall placement significantly influences structural behavior, especially in irregular building forms. Overall, the outer-center layout demonstrated the most balanced seismic response among the configurations assessed.