Abstract:A novel prefabricated self-centering reinforced concrete (RC) shear wall, which is mainly composed of RC wall slab, self-centering device with disc springs and friction energy dissipation device, is proposed to meet multiple objectives of high construction efficiency and recoverable function after an earthquake. The three main parts of the novel RC shear wall are assembled through high-strength bolts with convenient and efficient construction. When the wall is subjected to seismic loads, the resisting moment and restoring force is mainly provided by the self-centering devices with disc springs and friction energy dissipation devices, thereby the damage and residual deformation of the component can be reduced and its seismic resilience can be effectively improved. In this paper, the sectional forces of the novel prefabricated self-centering RC shear wall are analyzed and its calculation method of the section bearing capacity is proposed. In addition, a novel RC shear wall is designed and its hysteretic behavior is obtained according to the numerical model. Then the bearing capacity, energy dissipation and self-centering capabilities are compared between the novel RC shear wall and the conventional RC shear wall. The results indicate that the bearing capacity of the novel RC shear wall is less than that of the conventional RC shear wall at the same drift ratios, whereas its ultimate bearing capacity is equal to that of the conventional RC shear wall. Additionally, the residual drift ratio of the novel RC shear wall is just 0.31% under strong earthquake (corresponding to 2.0% drift ratio), indicating that the self-centering capability of the novel RC shear wall is satisfactory, so that the structure has the abilities of low damage and seismic resilience. Increase in the pre-loading of the self-centering device with disc springs can greatly improve the bearing capacity and energy dissipation capability of the novel RC shear wall, while its residual displacement is correspondingly increased.