comparative evaluation of seismic behavior of t-shaped versus rectangular concrete shear walls in high-rise buildings

High-rise buildings exhibit complex seismic behavior due to their height and flexibility, requiring robust lateral load-resisting systems to ensure safety and serviceability. among these, dual systems combining steel moment frames with reinforced concrete shear walls are widely adopted in tall building design. this study evaluates the seismic performance of a 30-story high-rise building located in a high seismic zone with a design base acceleration of a = 0.5, representing a conservative scenario for critical structures. two shear wall configurations—rectangular and t-shaped were modeled and analyzed through both linear response spectrum and nonlinear time history analyses using six representative earthquake records. the results demonstrate that t-shaped shear walls provide superior lateral stiffness, reduced roof displacements, and lower inter-story drifts compared to rectangular walls under both elastic and inelastic conditions. this improved behavior is attributed to the higher moment of inertia of t-shaped walls, making them a more efficient and resilient choice for high-rise buildings in seismic-prone regions.