Seismic performance cold-Formed steel framed shear walls using in-Frame corrugated steel sheathing

Abstract

To meet the increasing demand for high strength and non-combustible shear wall systems in mid-rise cold-formed steel (CFS) constructions, this paper investigates the seismic performance and design method of an innovative CFS shear wall system with in-frame corrugated steel sheathing based on previous studies. Shear wall and bearing wall specimens with in-frame corrugated steel sheathing are tested under combined lateral and gravity loading. Simplified numerical models of whole archetype buildings are established. The seismic performance evaluation is performed using methodology recommended in FEMA P695 and the seismic performance factors are examined. The test results show that the shear strength of the innovative shear wall is much higher than currently code certified wood-based shear walls in AISI S400. Also, the shear strength of bearing walls is approximately one-third of the shear strength of shear walls, which proves that bearing walls also contribute significant shear resistance in a structure. The seismic performance evaluation results verified that the existing seismic performance factors (R = Cd = 6.5 and [Formula: see text] = 3.0) for CFS shear walls with flat steel sheathings can also be used for the innovative shear wall system. The innovative CFS shear wall system with in-frame corrugated steel sheathing could be employed for mid-rise buildings in areas that are prone to high seismic and wind loads.