Advances in concrete wall design

The AS3600 and ACI318 concrete codes of practice used for the design of load bearing walls fail to recognise the effect on load capacity of high strength concrete and side restraints. It is important to include a more rational design method, in AS3600, incorporating the various support conditions and concrete strengths encountered in practice. This paper initially presents a brief review of the code methods and gives an overview of the relevant studies undertaken on the axial load capacity of concrete walls. Then state-of-the-art wall design formulae are presented. The formulae are the result of an extensive research program undertaken by the authors and can be used for various situations, including when high strength concrete or side restraints are present. The development of the factors used to account for high strength concrete and side restraints are also highlighted.