Lateral loading performance of end narrow panel reinforced light wood frame shear walls

Abstract

PurposeThe sheathing panels of traditional light wood frame shear walls mainly use oriented strand board (OSB) panels, and the damage of the traditional walls is mainly caused by the tear failure at the bottom corner of the OSB panel. In order to improve the lateral performance of the traditional light wood frame shear wall, a new type of end narrow panels reinforced light wood frame shear wall is proposed.Design/methodology/approachThe monotonic loading tests and finite element analysis of nine groups of walls, with different types of end narrow panel, types of fasteners used on the end narrow panels and the end narrow panels edge fastener spacing, are carried out. The effects of different characters on lateral performance of light wood frame shear walls are reported and discussed.FindingsThe failure modes of the wall reinforced by parallel strand bamboo narrow panels with 150 mm edge nails spacing are similar to the traditional wall. Conversely, the failure modes of other groups of walls reinforced by end narrow panels are the tears of the bottom narrow panel or the bottom beam. The end narrow panel reinforced light wood frame shear wall can make full use of the material property of sheathing panels. Compared with the lateral performance of traditional walls, the new-type end narrow panels reinforced walls have better lateral performance.Originality/valueA new type of end narrow panels reinforced light wood frame shear wall is proposed, which can enhance the lateral performance of the traditional light wood frame shear wall. The new-type walls have advantages of convenient operation, manufacture cost saving and important value of engineering application.