A piecewise-linear backbone model for unbonded post-tensioned concrete masonry shear walls

Unbonded post-tensioned concrete masonry (UPCM) shear walls present an effective seismic force resisting system due to their ability to mitigate expected damage risks through their self-centering capabilities. A few design procedures were proposed to predict the in-plane flexural response of UPCM walls, albeit following only basic mechanics and/or extensive iterative methods. Such procedures, however, may not be capable of capturing the complex …