The coupling beam is recognized that critical structural elements, those whose yield strength is likely to be exceeded in the event of a severe earthquake, should be designed and detailed to exhibit large ductilities and stable hysteretic loop. As a result, the alternation reinforcement details of reinforced concrete coupling beam was investigated.

This paper describes the experimental results for the structural performance of full-scale coupling beams with different reinforcement layout (diagonal and horizontal). For the reinforcements of the coupling beams, high-strength steel bars(SD500 and SD600) were used in order to improve workability and economic feasibility. The rigid steel frames and linked joints were used to maintain the clear span length (distance between both shear walls) of the coupling beam during the cyclic loading. Experimental results indicated that the diagonally reinforced coupling beam specimen could exhibit more ductile behavior compared to horizontally reinforced specimen. ACI318-14 code is applicable to design of coupling beam with diagonally reinforcement, however, that is overestimating the strength of horizontally reinforced coupling beam. It is remarkable that effective elastic stiffness values of both reinforcement details coupling beam significantly lees than ASCE 41-13.

Earthquakes are very dangerous. They exemplify the true power of nature and cannot be avoid. Coupled shear walls are walls connected by moment- resisting members. The main subject investigated in this research project is the influence of steel fibers on the behaviour of coupling beams in shear.

This paper addresses the shear strength based on ACI 318-88 code and proposed equation by Park & Yun for steel fiber coupling beams containing steel fiber.

This paper addresses failure modes of steel fiber coupling beams containing steel fiber. It shows that steel fiber of coupling beams efficiently controlled increase of crack width by bridge action.