Connections used for cold-formed steel frame shear walls sheathed with engineered bamboo panels

Abstract

This paper presents experimental research on the load-bearing behaviors of self-drilling screw connections in cold-formed steel (CFS) frame shear walls sheathed with engineered bamboo panels. In total, 105 specimens were tested using monotonic and cyclic loading protocols. The performance of the CFS–bamboo connections was studied under various conditions with respect to differently engineered bamboo sheathing panels, screw features, end distances, and loading rates. The failure modes and performance parameters are discussed. The test results obtained in this study indicate that engineered bamboo panels can be used as efficient sheathing panels for CFS structures with good mechanical performances. Based on the connection test information, fast modeling was carried out on the lightweight CFS–bamboo shear walls.