Abstract The structural role of precast concrete walls with openings is often overlooked in design practice due to concerns about reduced stiffness, stress concentration, cracking around openings, and potential unexpected failure modes under seismic loading. This leads to conservative overdesign of surrounding structural elements and undermines the efficiency of such precast concrete systems. This study challenges this practice by quantifying the residual capacity of precast concrete walls with centered openings under both seismic and non‐seismic conditions. This study focuses on the structural performance of precast concrete walls, considering both Ultimate Limit States (strength capacity and stress level) and Serviceability Limit States (cracking). The main goal is to determine the maximum allowable opening ratio that does not significantly compromise the wall's structural capacity, thereby helping designers decide whether such walls can serve as structural elements. To achieve this goal, a parametric study was conducted using finite element analysis with the Compatible Stress Field Method, varying opening ratios, reinforcement configurations, and connection types. The stress distribution in concrete and reinforcement, the development of crack width, and the maximum load capacity were analyzed and discussed. It was demonstrated that precast concrete walls with an opening ratio ≤20% retain over 40% of their original strength, even under seismic action, provided adequate reinforcement ( ω ≥ 0.087) is used. This study offers practical guidelines for integrating walls with moderate openings into structural design, thereby reducing overdesign and enhancing sustainability.
Marreneca et al. (Wed,) studied this question.