Shear walls A review

Shear walls are structural systems which provide stability to structures from lateral loads like wind, seismic loads. These structural systems are constructed by reinforced concrete, plywood/timber unreinforced masonry, reinforced masonry at which these systems are sub divided into coupled shear walls, shear wall frames, shear panels and staggered walls. The present paper work was made in the interest of studying various research works involved in enhancement of shear walls and their behaviour towards lateral loads. As shear walls resists major portions of lateral loads in the lower portion of the buildings and the frame supports the lateral loads in the upper portions of building which is suited for soft storey high rise building, building which are similar in nature constructed in India, As in India base floors are used for parking and garages or officers and upper floors are used for residential purposes.