Seismic Performance of Cold-Formed Steel Shear Walls Using Corrugated Sheathing with Slits

Abstract

This paper presents an experimental study and numerical simulation analyzing the seismic performance of low- and midrise cold-formed steel-framed buildings using shear walls sheathed with corrugated steel sheets with slits. A new testing method considering both lateral and gravity (vertical) load was used to investigate the behavior and strength of the cold-formed steel-framed shear walls. The test results indicate that the perforated shear walls demonstrate desirable ductility and initial stiffness with relatively high shear strength compared with nonperforated shear walls. To further study the seismic performance and determine the seismic performance factors, incremental dynamic analysis was performed of six building archetypes in which the new shear walls were installed. Seismic performance assessment was evaluated according to FEMA methodology. The results indicate that a set of seismic performance factors (R=Cd=6.5 and Ω0=3.0) is appropriate for the perforated cold-formed steel-framed shear wall systems using corrugated steel sheathing. The proposed new shear wall can be used as a substitute for flat steel sheet or wood-based panels in Type I and II constructions in high wind and seismic regions. Detailed full-scale test results and nonlinear finite-element modeling results of this new lateral force resisting system are discussed and reported herein.