Experimental Investigation of Base Conditions Affecting Seismic Performance of Mass Plywood Panel Shear Walls

Abstract

Mass plywood panels (MPP) are a new engineered wood material produced by Freres Lumber Company, Inc. in Lyons, Oregon. This paper presents a study of the lateral-load response of MPP walls connected to different base conditions by two hold-downs on each face. Four base conditions were designed and tested: (1) steel beam, (2) MPP base, (3) a proof of concept MPP base with a bearing plate at each toe of the walls, and (4) MPP base with toe screws. These varied base conditions represent balloon frame and platform constructions as lower and upper bound responses, respectively. The impact of base conditions on the lateral-load response was investigated through a series of in-plane cyclic tests on 76.2 mm thick, 1,220×2,440 mm MPP wall panels. The test results followed idealized upper and lower bound responses and showed potential for using MPP wall panels as a lateral force resisting system for structures. Using the test results, two models (ASCE 41-13 trilinear and Pinching4 hysteretic) are calibrated and utility of model parameters are illustrated.