SUMMARYA finite element formulation for multi-panel shear walls based on a partially bonded bcam system has been proposed. Idealization of a shear wall by a partially bonded multi-layered beam element reduces the storage and computer time considerably. The finite element model has been employcd cxtensively for parametric study of prefabricated shear walls of different widths and hcights. Difftrent numbers of in-situ joints in the prefabricated shear wall assembly with varying shear stiffness of joints have also been considered. The parametric study gave an insight to the structural response of the wall system. Hased on the non-linear shear stil'fness characteristic of in-silu joints determined experimentally, the nonlinear behaviour of a prefabricated shear wall has been determined and the failure load has been predicted.