Shake Table Testing of Lightweight Steel Drywall Nonstructural Components

Abstract

Damages of non-structural components during a seismic event can involve risks for the human life, interruption of ordinary activities and significant economic losses. Therefore, the understanding of the seismic behaviour of non-structural components is a fundamental prerequisite for their use. In this context, a cooperation between the University of Naples "Federico II" and KnaufGips KG Company, aimed to the knowledge of seismic response of lightweight steel drywall non-structural components was carried forward. In this framework, shake table tests were carried out on protoypes composed by indoor partition walls, outdoor façade walls and suspended continuous ceilings. The influence on seismic response of basic and enhanced anti-seismic solutions, corresponding to the use of fixed or sliding connections at the walls and ceilings perimeter, was investigated. The seismic response in terms of damage occurrence was also evaluated by fragility curves, which show that enhanced solutions have a better seismic response than basic solutions and indoor partition walls have a higher seismic “fragility” than outdoor façade walls.