Full-Scale Pseudodynamic Testing of Self-Centering Steel Plate Shear Walls

Abstract

This paper presents the first full-scale experimental investigation of the self-centering steel plate shear wall (SC-SPSW) system. The SC-SPSW system is a lateral force-resisting system developed to provide system recentering and limit structural damage to easily replaceable energy dissipating fuses (i.e., thin steel web plates). Recentering is provided by posttensioned (PT) beam-to-column connections. This test program is composed of two two-story SC-SPSW specimens, each with a different PT beam-to-column connection. For one specimen, connections rock about both beam flanges; for the other, connections rock about the top beam flange only. Both specimens incorporated a posttensioned column base detail to further promote recentering and damage mitigation. The specimens were tested pseudodynamically using excitations representing three different seismic hazard levels. Results show that the SC-SPSW system is capable of meeting and exceeding the specified performance objectives.