Theoretical and simulation study on the vibration modes of shear walls in prefabricated modular construction

As prefabricated construction advances, the enhanced informatization and the industrialized modular construction method of MIC (Modular integrated construction) shear walls have been widely applied in real projects. MIC shear walls are generally made up of prefabricated wall modules with varying strength grades, using concrete of various ages, and are combined with cast-in-place concrete. Due to the unique construction requirements of these walls, defects such as interfacial delamination and internal voids might occur, arising from factors like concrete shrinkage and creep, complex interfacial structures, inadequate compaction during vibration, and construction process issues. Since these interfacial defects cannot be visually inspected from the exterior, developing non-destructive testing (NDT) methods specifically for detecting such defects in shear walls becomes an urgent necessity. This paper utilizes a combination of theoretical analysis and numerical simulation to explore the vibration modes of MIC shear walls with hidden defects. First, a theoretical model is proposed for the local vibration modes of MIC shear wall shells with consideration of interfacial delamination defects. Then, a numerical simulation model is established based on MIC shear wall construction and defect features to simulate the vibration behavior accurately. Finally, after examining the theoretical and simulated vibration characteristics of MIC shear walls, a significant theoretical foundation is established for identifying interfacial defects in MIC shear walls.