In-plane seismic behavior of lightweight steel drywall façades through quasi-static reversed cyclic tests

Abstract

A lightweight steel (LWS) drywall façade is one of the most widely used architectural non-structural components in a building. This paper presents the results of in-plane quasi-static reserved cyclic tests carried out on 14 different full-scale façades made with LWS framing. The main goal of the study is to investigate the effect of various construction details on the seismic response of the selected facades. The investigated parameters include single or double frame walls, type of sheathing panels, presence of finishing, variation in surrounding constructional elements, absence of track members, type of connection to the surrounding constructional elements, and presence of protrusion. The effect of the construction parameters on the lateral response of the façades was examined in terms of strength, stiffness, force–displacement hysteretic response, and damage mechanisms. Therefore, the damage phenomena observed during the tests are reported, associating them with the three damage limit states based on the level of damage. For the definition of seismic vulnerability, the fragility curves for different façade typologies are also presented. Finally, based on the fragility data, the evaluation of seismic performance according to IDR limits for non-structural components given by Eurocode 8 is also performed.