Evaluation of Non-Structural Partition Walls and Suspended Ceiling Systems through a Shake Table Study

In‐plane quasi‐static cyclic tests of nonstructural lightweight steel drywall partitions for seismic performance evaluation

“…In particular, the seismic response of lightweight steel drywall partitions tested in isolated configuration was evaluated under dynamic and/or in-plane or out-of-plane quasi-static loading conditions (Freeman, 1 Lee et al, 2 Memari et al, 3 Restrepo and Bersofsky, 4 Peck et al, 5 Araya-Letelier and Miranda, 6 Retamales et al, 7 Tasligedik et al, 8 Petrone et al, 9 and Swensen et al 10 ). Furthermore, the interaction between lightweight steel drywall partitions and structural elements and/or other nonstructural building components, ie, outdoor façades and suspended ceilings, was investigated by means of shake table tests on full-scale one/multistorey structures completed with ceiling-partition systems (Rihal, 11 Filiatrault et al, 12 McCormick et al, 13 Matsuoka et al, 14 Magliulo et al, 15 Wang et al, 16 Jenkins et al, 17 and Petrone et al 18 ).…”

“…The effect of partition walls on the overall performance of a structure during a seismic event was investigated by means of cyclic tests 2,8 and dynamic tests on shaking tables. [13][14][15][16][17][18] The analysis of these parameters highlighted that the contribution of partition walls in lateral strength, secant stiffness, and dynamic properties, ie, fundamental vibration period and damping ratio, is not negligible compared with that of structural supporting system.…”

Seismic response assessment of architectural non-structural LWS drywall components through experimental tests

“…Indeed, over the last few years, along with several studies on architectural non-structural LWS drywall components, which were mainly focused on fire behaviour [4][5], effect on the structural response [6][7][8][9][10][11], joining technologies [12][13], diaphragm action [14][15] and behaviour under axial and lateral loads [16][17], a large number of research studies were also undertaken on investigating the seismic behaviour. Generally, these researches included the study of the local and global behaviour: seismic behaviour of board-to-frame fixings adopted for realizing partitions and façades [18][19][20][21]; seismic behaviour under monotonic, quasi-static cyclic and dynamic loadings in the in-plane [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34] and outof-plane [35][36] directions of partitions and façades; study of the interaction between partitions and façades and/or ceilings and surrounding elements by means of shake table tests on full-scale one or multi-storeys buildings completed with architectural non-structural components [37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44]…”

“…Generally, these researches included the study of the local and global behaviour: seismic behaviour of board-to-frame fixings adopted for realizing partitions and façades [18][19][20][21]; seismic behaviour under monotonic, quasi-static cyclic and dynamic loadings in the in-plane [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34] and outof-plane [35][36] directions of partitions and façades; study of the interaction between partitions and façades and/or ceilings and surrounding elements by means of shake table tests on full-scale one or multi-storeys buildings completed with architectural non-structural components [37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45]. In particular, the main aims of the cited research studies were to provide information about the seismic behaviour of architectural non-structural components by investigating the following aspects: (i) damageability and seismic fragilities ( [25], [30][31], [34], [37][38][39][40][41], [44][45]); (ii) mechanical response under monotonic [36], cyclic ( [23], …”

Seismic performance evaluation of plasterboard partitions via shake table tests

“…A series of experimental tests are conducted by Lee et al (2007): in order to characterize the seismic performance of drywall partitions typically used in Japanese buildings, to observe the entity of the damage under cyclic loading conditions and to quantify the corresponding repair costs, four full-scale drywall partitions sheathed with two layers of gypsum boards on both faces are constructed and tested. A full-scale shake table test on a specimen, consisting of both gypsum board partition walls and suspended ceiling systems, is carried out by McCormick et al (2008). The test shows the main damages which occur at different drift levels and provides preliminary data for a test on a full-scale steel moment frame.…”