Predicting Behavior of Steel-Clad, Wood-Framed Shear Walls under Cyclic Lateral Loading

HighlightsA finite element analysis (FEA) model was developed to predict behavior of steel-clad, wood-framed (SCWF) shear walls under cyclic loading.This FEA model will be useful in determining post-frame building response to seismic forces.The model will save time and money in developing design coefficients and planning experiments for SCWF shear walls.Abstract. This article presents finite element (FEA) model results of steel-clad, wood-framed (SCWF) shear walls under cyclic lateral loading. The shear wall model consists of beam elements to model framing members, equivalent orthotropic plane stress elements to model corrugated steel cladding, linear spring elements to model nail connectors between framing members, and nonlinear hysteresis spring elements to model screw connectors. Screw connectors attaching steel panels to wood framing and steel panels to steel panels at lap joints were tested under cyclic loading to provide the constitutive relationships needed. A modified Bouc-Wen-Barber-Noori (BWBN) model was developed to capture slack, pinching, and strength and stiffness degradation of screw connectors under cyclic loading. The finite element models were validated by comparing them with experimental test results of six different SCWF shear wall configurations. Predicted peak shear strengths for most load cycles were slightly higher than those from the experimental tests, especially for stitched shear walls. Visual inspection of the FEA predicted hysteretic load curves demonstrated that pinching, and strength and stiffness degradation were well captured. The results of this study demonstrate the utility of the FEA model for comparative studies of different SCWF shear wall constructions under cyclic lateral loading. Keywords: Cyclic lateral loading, Diaphragm design, Post-frame building, Steel-clad wood-frame diaphragm.