Steel-plate composite (SC) walls: In-plane shear behavior, database, and design

Abstract

The in-plane shear strength of steel-plate composite (SC) walls is governed by the onset of Von Mises yielding in the steel faceplates. This paper uses a mechanics based model (MBM) to present the fundamental in-plane shear force–shear strain (V–γ) response of SC walls. The MBM accounts for concrete cracking due to principal tensile stresses, and the post-cracking orthotropic composite behavior of SC walls subjected to pure in-plane shear forces. This fundamental behavior of SC walls is illustrated using the results from a large-scale in-plane shear test of an SC wall specimen (with flange walls), and compared to the predictions from the MBM. The paper also includes a comprehensive experimental database of all in-plane shear tests conducted in Japan, S. Korea, and US. The database consists of 26 SC wall tests with a wide range of parameters for the wall thickness, reinforcement ratio, aspect ratio, and the presence (or absence) of axial stress. The experimental results are used to identify the key parameter influencing the in-plane shear strength of SC walls, which is shown to be the steel faceplate reinforcement ratio. The design code equations used in engineering practice around the world are used to predict the in-plane shear strength of all 26 SC wall specimens in the database. The conservatism and accuracy of the code predictions of strength are evaluated by comparing them with experimental results, and reliability analysis are performed to estimate the associated strength reduction (ϕ) factors.