Lateral resistance of OSB sheathed cold-formed steel shear walls

Abstract

This study experimentally investigated the mechanical properties, failure modes, and lateral resistance of oriented strand board (OSB) sheathed cold-formed steel (CFS) shear walls under monotonic loading and reversed-cyclic loading. The influences of the loading mode, vertical load, ratio and local strengthening of openings, sheathing panel, and diagonal rigid bracing on the lateral resistance of the CFS shear walls were also analyzed. The experimental results demonstrated that the loading mode exerted a significant influence on the performance of the wall panels; the shear resistance of the specimens under monotonic loading was 13% greater than that of the specimens under reversed-cyclic loading. For specimens with the identical configuration, the shear resistance decreased with the opening ratio increasing and local strengthening of openings could reduce the adverse effect. The shear bearing capacity of the single-sided (OSB) panel wall was much greater than that of the non-paneled wall. The vertical load had little influence on the wall's shear bearing capacity. Compared with ordinary CFS shear walls, the walls with V-shaped diagonal rigid bracings demonstrated greater shear bearing capacity and lateral stiffness, whereas the ductility and energy dissipation capacity were comparatively less encouraging.