Large-Scale Test of a Modular Steel Plate Shear Wall with Partially Encased Composite Columns

Abstract

As part of an experimental study on the behavior of steel plate shear walls with partially encased composite columns, a large-scale modular specimen was tested at the University of Alberta to observe and quantify some important parameters related to seismic design of this type of structure. The two-story one-bay specimen was subjected to cyclic load until it failed. It was shown that the modular construction method used to build the specimen had very little effect on the overall behavior. The specimen exhibited high initial stiffness, good displacement ductility and high energy dissipation capacity. The observations during the test indicated that the detailing of the composite columns played an important role in improving the seismic performance of the specimen. Based on the results of the current experiment and previous studies, design and detailing recommendations have been made.