Distributed parameter modeling for prefabricated wall-frame system assembled by horizontal and vertical connection

Abstract

Distributed parameter model (also referred to as continuum model) is commonly used to analyze the behavior of conventional frame-shear wall structure. In recent decades, extensive research has been published and proved the well-controlled seismic performance of wall-frame system, beyond which some researchers applied the continuous philosophy to the analysis of specified wall-frame systems. This paper extends the distributed parameter model to a general distributed parameter model, and corresponding closed-form solutions for three typical load cases are derived, verified, and parametric analyzed. The model in this paper unifies the three nondimensional parameters into one model and parameterizes the relative stiffness between wall, frame, vertical connection, and horizontal connection. Additionally, the proposed model can analyze the system with various horizontal connection (hinged/fixed/semi-rigid) as well as vertical connection (dampers/coupling links). Further, the shear demand of frame retrofitted by resilient wall, a new retrofit has been constructed lately, is theoretically studied using the proposed model. Results shows that the shear demand of frame at upper floor levers may increase after retrofitting.