Experimental Investigation of Lateral Behavior of Light-Frame Shear Walls Applied with Elastomeric Adhesive

Abstract

The seismic design of light-frame wood buildings requires adequate lateral strength and stiffness without inversely compromising the energy dissipation performance, mainly attributable to the connections. The impact of elastomeric adhesives on the seismic performance of light-frame shear walls (LFSW) was examined experimentally. Eleven LFSW specimens subjected to monotonic and cyclic loading tests represented four configurations of sheathing-to-framing connections. The reference configuration used standard nailing in the connections, while the other three configurations added elastomeric adhesives. The adhesives adopted are the conventional polyurethane-based and two silyl-modified polyether-based (SMP) adhesives of different mechanical properties. Experimental results of force-displacement relationships and performance characteristics were evaluated, including strength, stiffness, energy dissipation, and ductility. The failure modes, sheathing deformation, and hold-down and anchor bolt forces were monitored to explain the quantified performance reasonably. Calculated values from the tests were compared with their counterparts in the design provisions, including shear wall deflection and allowable story drift. It is noted that the adhesive configurations doubled the wall strength and increased stiffness by half compared with the reference configuration. Of all the configurations, the most energy dissipation was achieved when using the SMP adhesive of high-elongation and the least using conventional adhesive. The superior elongation capability of the SMP adhesives indicates a synergistic effect with nails allowing more deflection of sheathing from framing and more energy dissipation than conventional adhesives of inherently limited elongation.