concrete encased coupling beams
 

concrete encased coupling beams
hi all
i am in process of designing a coupling beam connecting two r.c. walls where i have very high shearing force, which is exceeding the maximum limit as per aci318; i have a thought to use steel plate inside the r.c. coupling beam, my concern are the follows.
1) is it allowed to use steel plates or i should use i section?
2) what development should i provide for this steel plate inside my r.c wall?
3) what forces should i design my sheer studs that will that will be welded on the steel plate?
note: - my building is in seismic category c
look up the archives for structure mag and structural engineer, one of them had an article on this exact thing in the last couple of years.
did you ever find any information on this? i am looking into the same thing.