Shear behaviour of reinforced straw-bale plaster sheathed cold-formed steel-framed shear walls

Abstract

The introduction of cold-formed thin-walled steel (CFS) framed systems into straw-bale construction is a new development construction. A CFS stud frame without blocking or strap-brace provides little in-plane shear stiffness, however it can provide lateral support for the thin and low-reinforcement sheathing through self-tapping screw anchorage, allowing the sheathing to subject to shear failure rather than buckling failure. Straw-bales with different thicknesses can satisfy different requirements for heat transfer and sound insulation. Since straw-bales are reliably bonded to the sheathing, the straw-bales can provide lateral support for the thin sheathing and can also effectively slow down the decline of the shear strength after the sheathing cracks. Moreover, the anchorage slip and the shear deformation of the sheathing material are the major factors affecting shear stiffness. The theory presented in this paper predicts the shear deformation response of the reinforced straw-bale plaster sheathed CFS framed shear wall specimen. The behaviour of the self-tapping screw anchorage was defined using power curve to predict the wall deformation due to anchorage slip. The deformation caused by shear in the sheathing material was estimated using refined softened truss model, which was based on the mechanical equilibrium condition, strain compatibility condition, and the constitutive relationship of softened cement mortar and mesh wire embedded in cement mortar. Comparing the theoretical results with the experimental data, the two were in good agreement. The shear strength of different configurations of reinforced straw-bale walls described in the literature were estimated, which proved the applicability of the theory. • Introduction of cold-formed thin-walled steel (CFS) framed system into straw-bale construction. • Estimation of the two major factors affecting the wall shear stiffness. • Validation of the predicted results according to experimental data. • Prediction for the shear strength of reinforced plaster straw-bale walls with different configurations.