Reduction In Ultimate Strength Research Articles

Altering tensile and crack initiation behavior in a metastable β titanium alloy via designing grain size and precipitates

Microstructure can play a vital role in defining mechanical properties of metallic materials. To elucidate this correlation in the case of Ti–15Mo–3Nb–3Al-0.2Si (TB8) alloy, herein, we designed various microstructures via heat treatment exploring the effects of grain size, precipitates and segregation on crack initiation behavior during tensile tests in metastable β-Ti alloy. After solution treatment at 830 °C, the TB8 alloy with equiaxed β grain displayed a good fracture elongation of 30.2 ± 0.63%. The adiabatic shearing band and β→α phase transformation were activated to increase the compatible deformation capability during tensile testing; however, the phase transformation caused the stress concentration in the boundary, resulting in crack initiation. For the samples prepared using solution and low aging at 440 °C, large grain, elements segregation at grain boundary and incomplete precipitates induced a slight reduction in ultimate tensile strength and elongation. After solution and aging at 520 °C, the short-rod or/and lamellar α phase precipitated in β grain effectively enhancing ultimate tensile strength (1398.71 ± 15.6 MPa). The increased boundaries provided the interface or precipitation strengthening effect, but high-density dislocations were also accumulated at the β/α interface, causing unstable deformation and crack initiation. These findings advance our understanding of the correlation between microstructure and crack initiation, and provide a basis for designing and customizing the mechanical properties of metastable β-Ti alloy.

The influence of welding-induced 3D residual stress and distortion on the ultimate strength of multi-stiffened thin plate structures under cyclic load

Stiffened thin plates made of high-strength steel are widely employed in ship hull structures. Their strength capacity is highly sensitive to the welding imperfections and potential extreme cyclic loading from harsh sea state. In this work, a thermal elasto-plastic finite element analysis is conducted to simulate the 3D distribution of welding-induced residual stress and distortion of stiffened thin plate structures with triple spans and triple bays varying the plate thickness and heat input. Experimental results provided by other scholars are used to validate the welding simulation. Afterwards, the ultimate strength and collapse behaviour of the welded structures under different load patterns are dealt with, including monotonic compression load, cyclic compression-tension load and cyclic compression load. Observation from numerical results indicates that, in general, the compressive strength is reduced in each considered cycle by the residual stress as the amplitude of cyclic compression-tension load approximates to the ultimate compressive strain. When this parameter is much greater than the ultimate compressive strain or the stiffened plate is subjected to cyclic compression load, the reduction in ultimate strength is significant in the first cycle, whereas the reduction is ignorable in the later cycles. Besides, if the buckling mode of initial deflection with antisymmetric configuration is superposed to the symmetric out-of-plane welding distortion, impact of the residual stress will be diminished as the asymmetry becomes notable.

Parametric study of side collision-induced denting failures on the ultimate strength of a handy-size containership under vertical bending

This study focuses on analysing the collision behaviour and residual ultimate bending strength of a container ship following a collision. Initially, computational models employing nonlinear finite element analysis (NFEA) were used to consider dynamic material parameters like strain rate and crack strain. The accuracy of this numerical approach was verified by comparison with test results. Subsequently, various collision scenarios were analyzed using ABAQUS software, encompassing diverse impact velocities, indenter shapes, and boundary conditions. The aim was to evaluate the reduction in the residual ultimate bending strength of a container ship hull resulting from collisions at both sagging and hogging moments. Finally, empirical equations were formulated to forecast the residual ultimate bending strength based on numerical findings. These equations exhibited excellent accuracy when validated against numerical and experimental data. This methodology and its equations provide valuable tools for assessing the post-collision strength of container ships and enhancing maritime transportation safety.

Experimental Study on Yield Strength Variation Law of Casing Materials under Alternating Thermal–Mechanical Coupling Loads

Unconventional oil and gas reservoirs, characterized by low porosity and permeability, often require multistage fracturing techniques for development. The high-pressure fracturing fluids with large volumes can easily cause alternating changes in both temperature and pressure within the casing. Using a theoretical model and field data from hydraulic fracturing operations, this paper calculated the alternating ranges of axial loads and temperatures in the reservoir section. Based on the calculation results, the temperature–load alternating coupling test of the P110 casing was carried out, and the tensile test was performed to analyze the yield strength variation law of the casing material. The results indicate that the yield strength, ultimate strength, and elastic modulus of casing materials are decreased under alternating thermal–mechanical coupling conditions. As the number of alternating cycles increases, there is an initial rapid decrease followed by a slower declining trend. Moreover, the tension–tension (T–T) cycles induce greater reductions in yield strength and ultimate strength than tension–compression (T–C) cycles. Meanwhile, under the same axial load condition, the higher the circulating temperature, the more significant the reduction in yield strength and ultimate strength. In essence, this is the result of the coupling effect of low-cycle fatigue and temperature aging. Finally, based on the experimental data, a yield strength prediction model of the P110 casing under the alternating thermal–mechanical coupling condition was established. The research results provide theoretical guidance for the safe design and material selection of a casing string under multistage volumetric fracturing conditions of shale gas exploration.

Role of Cu content in microstructure, mechanical, corrosion, tribological and antibacterial behavior of spark plasma sintered Ti–B-xCu alloys for dental application

Spark plasma sintering (SPS) was applied to in-situ fabricate the Ti–B-xCu (x = 3, 5.5, and 8 wt%) alloys for dental applications. A comprehensive study was conducted to investigate the role of the Cu content in the microstructure, mechanical, corrosion, tribological, and bactericidal behavior of these alloys. The results indicate that an increased Cu content is favorable to the refinement of TiB and the formation of lamellar Ti2Cu phases. These factors contribute to an enhancement in yield strength (YS) and microhardness, whereas they result in a reduction in ultimate compressive strength (UCS) and fracture strain (FS). Furthermore, the corrosion rate is proportional to the Cu content, thereby affecting the antibacterial activity against S. aureus. An increased antibacterial activity is obtained at a higher Cu content. Although adding Cu elements is helpful to enhance wear resistance, it is crucial to exercise caution in order to prevent excessive Cu content within the alloy. It revealed that the Ti–B-5.5Cu alloy exhibits desirable overall properties and holds considerable potential for dental applications.

Tailoring Multiple Strengthening Phases to Achieve Superior High-Temperature Strength in Cast Mg-RE-Ag Alloys.

Mg alloys with excellent high-temperature mechanical properties are urgently desired to meet the design requirements of new-generation aircraft. Herein, novel cast Mg-10Gd-2Y-0.4Zn-0.2Ca-0.5Zr-xAg alloys were designed and prepared according to the advantages of multi-component alloying. The SEM and XRD results revealed that the as-cast microstructures contained α-Mg grains, β, and Zr-containing phase. As Ag rose from 0 wt.% to 2.0 wt.%, the grain size was refined from 40.7 μm to 33.5 μm, and the β phase significantly increased. The TEM observations revealed that the nano-scaled γ' phase could be induced to precipitate in the α-Mg matrix by the addition of Ag. The stacking sequence of lamellar γ' phases is ABCA. The multiple strengthening phases, including β phase, γ' phases, and Zr-containing particles, were effectively tailored through alloying and synergistically enhanced the mechanical properties. The ultimate tensile strength increased from 154.0 ± 3.5 MPa to 231.0 ± 4.0 MPa at 548 K when Ag was added from 0 to 2.0 wt.%. Compared to the Ag-free alloy, the as-cast alloy containing 2.0 wt.% Ag exhibited a minor reduction in ultimate tensile strength (7.0 ± 4.0 MPa) from 498 K to 548 K. The excellent high-temperature performance of the newly developed Mg-RE-Ag alloy has great value in promoting the use of Mg alloys in aviation industries.

Reliability assessment of ship hull girders considering pitting corrosion and crack

The current study aims to investigate the combined effect of cracking and pitting damage on the ultimate strength of ships. The well-known Smith’s approach is modified considering the random number and distribution of cracked-pitted plates in the ship cross-section. Using the Monte Carlo approach, the structural reliability index of the cracked-pitted ship is determined. A single-bottom oil tanker’s ultimate strength is computed, and it turns out that the reliability indices for various damage scenarios are nearly identical when the ship is at its early age. When the ship ages, its reliability index rises to its maximum if the damage is concentrated at the bottom under sagging conditions and at the sides and longitudinal bulkheads in hogging conditions. The reliability indices in the hogging conditions are often greater than those in the sagging conditions. Furthermore, it is determined that, while the ship is at its early age, the detrimental effect of pitting, cracking, or a combination of both on the reduction of the ship’s hull girder ultimate strength is equal. The lowest reliability index is seen in aged ships when cracking and pitting are combined, followed by cracking and pitting damage separately. It is shown that pitting corrosion has a lower reliability index than the general type of corrosion.

Lattice thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of the single-layer penta-NiN2 explored by a deep-learning interatomic potential.

Penta-NiN2, a novel pentagonal 2D sheet with potential nanoelectronic applications, is investigated in terms of its lattice thermal conductivity, stability, and mechanical behavior. A deep learning interatomic potential (DLP) is firstly generated from ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) data and then utilized for classical molecular dynamics simulations. The DLP's accuracy is verified, showing strong agreement with AIMD results. The dependence of thermal conductivity on size, temperature, and tensile strain, reveals important insights into the material's thermal properties. Additionally, the mechanical response of penta-NiN2 under uniaxial loading is examined, yielding a Young's modulus of approximately 368 GPa. The influence of vacancy defects on mechanical properties is analyzed, demonstrating a significant reduction in modulus, fracture stress, and ultimate strength. This study also investigates the influence of strain on phonon dispersion relations and phonon group velocity in penta-NiN2, shedding light on how alterations in the atomic lattice affect the phonon dynamics and, consequently, impact the thermal conductivity. This investigation showcases the ability of deep learning-based interatomic potentials in studying the properties of 2D penta-NiN2.

Investigating the influence of inter-printhead bond strategy on tensile strength in multi-printhead PLA parts for collective additive manufacturing

Multiple printheads working in parallel on the same part have been proposed to increase the speed of FDM additive manufacturing systems. However, it is still unclear how this implementation affects part performance, particularly whether optimal inter-printhead bonds can be realised and how these might impact proposed speed gains. Therefore, this study investigates the trade-offs in tensile performance of parts printed using multiple printheads and inter-printhead interface strategies compared to a single printhead. By evaluating various inter-printhead bond orientations and chunking angles at the inter-printhead interface, the research assesses whether introducing a seam, which may weaken the part, can be justified by the potential benefit of workload distribution to enable parallelism in FDM additive manufacturing systems, hence faster print times. Findings show that the inline inter-printhead bond orientation and 30◦ chunking angle specimens exhibit a 9% and < 1% reduction in ultimate tensile strength, respectively. Therefore, with optimal inter-printhead interface settings, multiple printheads can speed up FDM additive manufacturing systems with minimal impact on tensile performance.

Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of friction stir welded Fe50Mn30Co10Cr10 high-entropy alloy

Metastable Fe50Mn30Co10Cr10 HEA has a significant strength-ductility synergistic effect and a wide application prospect in nuclear power. The present work reports the microstructure evolution and tensile behavior of friction stir-welded joints for Fe50Mn30Co10Cr10 high entropy alloy (HEA) at various rotational speeds. Defect-free welds of Fe50Mn30Co10Cr10 alloy were obtained by a W-Re alloy welding tool. Significant grain refinement occurs in the nugget zone, where the most of HCP phases in the base metal transformed into FCC phase. Additionally, strain-induced Σ3 mechanical twins are generated in the FCC austenite grains. The microstructure of thermo-mechanically affected zone exhibited multiple deformation mechanisms, including stacking faults, martensite lath, martensite variants, and reverse transformation. The microhardness of the joint primarily depends on the grain size of the FCC phase and the fraction of twins and HCP phase. In the nugget zone of the joint welded at 300 rpm, a high microhardness zone ranging from 266.7 to 310 HV was detected. While the reverse transformation and fresh twinning in the joint at 600 rpm contribute to the enhancement of tensile properties, the increase in grain size and ε martensitic fraction have resulted in a noteworthy reduction in ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elongation (EL). Conversely, the joint of 300 rpm exhibited optimum UTS and EL owing to the grain refining after FSW and the transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) effect. These insights confirm that FSW is an ideal approach for achieving superior joint performance in dual-phase HEAs.

Assessment of Ship Hull Ultimate Strength under Fire Conditions: The Fire Smith Method Approach

This article presents the fire Smith method, which integrates the plate model and the Smith method, to analyze the impact of fire temperature and extent on the buckling strength of frigates. This investigation focused on the frigate’s buckling strength and how it is affected by a fire, achieved by modifying both deck temperature and area. Leveraging the principle of oxygen consumption, a coefficient “D” was introduced to account for fire temperature and region variations. This enabled the characterization of buckling strength under varying temperature and regional conditions through 64 simulations conducted on a frigate model. The outcomes revealed that the disparity between simulation results and the fire Smith method remained below 10%, establishing a solid basis for engineering assessment. As the high-temperature area decreased and necessitated less oxygen, the ultimate strength initiated a decline. However, upon reaching a certain threshold temperature, the ultimate strength stabilized. Conversely, expansive high-temperature zones caused a decline in ultimate strength, coupled with an increased oxygen requirement. Under consistent oxygen consumption conditions, the rate of ultimate strength reduction intensified. Consequently, these divergent characteristics of ultimate strength in various high-temperature areas underscored that minimizing the expansive fire high-temperature zones can significantly enhance the ship’s fire resistance, safeguarding its structural integrity.

A structured approach to the determination of residual stresses in an epoxy-amine coating and the influence of thermal ageing on the thermomechanical properties, residual stresses and the corresponding failure modes of coating

The purpose of this research was to develop a structured approach for the calculation of residual stresses in organic coatings through the experimental determination of thermomechanical properties of the epoxy-amine coating. The feasibility of this proposed method was validated by the presence of cracks on epoxy amine coating subjected to isothermal ageing at 180 °C for a period of 8 weeks, followed by thermal shock by water quenching at 0 °C, when the tensile strength of coating (8.00 MPa) was surpassed by the accumulated residual stress in the coating (9.66 MPa). The influence of thermal ageing on the thermomechanical properties, residual stresses and the corresponding failure modes were also evident. Significant variation of thermomechanical properties such as the increase in Tg from 77.60 °C to 120.50 °C, reduction of thermal expansion coefficient from 51.74×10−6°C−1 to 40.27×10−6°C−1, reduction of elastic modulus from 1600 MPa to 1400 MPa, and reduction of ultimate tensile strength from 27.00 MPa to 8.00 MPa after thermal ageing were observed. These variations have ultimately led to the increase of residual stresses in coatings that has resulted in the formation of cracks.

Fracture Toughness of Ti6Al4V/Cp-Ti Multi-Material Produced via Selective Laser Melting

Multi-materials can locally enhance the properties of products to improve their performance. In some cases, it might be necessary to improve the fracture toughness properties locally. This work is devoted to investigating the fracture toughness of multi-material Ti6Al4V/Cp-Ti specimens produced via laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF). The powder feeding and distributing system of the L-PBF machine was modified for programmable dual-powder feed capability. The multi-material Ti6Al4V/Cp-Ti samples analyzed in this work are layered materials, where the Ti6Al4V alloy serves as the base material and Cp-Ti is present as separate layers. Samples of this type rely on the principle of crack inhibition, where fracture energy is dissipated in the more ductile Cp-Ti layers. Two variants of alternating ductile layers were studied. The microstructure of the materials and interfacial zone were analyzed using an optical microscope. Chemical composition was examined with a scanning electron microscope. The size of the interfacial zone in the multi-material averaged between 250 and 300 μm. A comparison of the tensile tests results with the literature data (of relatively pure Ti6Al4V alloy) reveals that there is a minor reduction in ultimate tensile strength and elongation. The obtained results confirm the possibility of locally increasing fracture toughness through the creation of a multi-material structure using L-PBF.

Ultimate Compressive Strength of H-Section Stub Columns Subject to Random Pitting Corrosion Damage

H-section columns with random pitting corrosion exhibit localized damage, making it imperative to conduct a thorough assessment in order to guarantee their long-term structural safety and integrity. This paper presents a method for constructing finite element models of randomly pitted H-section stub columns. The accuracy of the models was first validated against existing experiments. Various scenarios, accounting for different levels of pitting intensities and locations of corrosion occurrence, were considered, to elucidate the mechanisms of the reduction in ultimate strength and stiffness, as well as the failure of columns. Additionally, the influence of the width-to-thickness ratio of the plate on the ultimate strength of stub columns was also taken into account. A method to address the thickness loss resulting from random pitting corrosion was proposed for the ultimate strength assessment of randomly pitted stub columns, and its accuracy was verified based on the Chinese and European Standards. An empirical formula was proposed and verified upon the results of numerous stochastic simulations of randomly pitted H-section columns. The results demonstrated that for axially loaded H-section stub columns, both ultimate strength and stiffness decrease significantly and nonlinearly with the increase in the degree of pitting damage. Corrosion can change the failure mode of a stub column by inducing local buckling in a plate that initially satisfies the buckling criterion before the overall column failure.

Effect of cyclic hydrothermal accelerated ageing on the mechanical behavior of components in adhesively bonded aluminum/composite joints reinforced with z-pins

This study presents an in-depth investigation into the moisture absorption and mechanical behavior of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) composites and adhesive bonded joints under hydrothermal aging conditions. The aim of this research is to assess the effects of moisture exposure and aging cycles on the performance of GFRP composites and their bonded joints. The experimental program involved preparing GFRP composite specimens and adhesive samples with specific thicknesses and subjecting them to hydrothermal aging cycles. Moisture absorption and desorption behavior of the adhesive and composite specimens were evaluated using Fick’s law, and equilibrium moisture content and diffusion coefficients were determined. Tensile tests were conducted to assess the mechanical properties of the materials, including elastic modulus, ultimate strength, and ultimate strain. The results demonstrated that both the adhesive and GFRP composite exhibited continuous moisture absorption and desorption behavior, following Fick’s law. The moisture uptake reached a saturation point, indicating equilibrium moisture content. The diffusion coefficients of the composite were found to be significantly influenced by the saturated moisture concentrations, highlighting the role of the fiber/matrix interface. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of both the adhesive and GFRP composite were evaluated under hydrothermal aging conditions. The elastic modulus of the adhesive increased after the first aging cycle, indicating the completion of the curing process. However, subsequent cycles resulted in reduced mechanical properties due to plasticization, molecular network changes, and swelling caused by moisture. The GFRP composite exhibited a reduction in ultimate strength and elastic modulus with increasing aging cycles, along with a decrease in strain. The study revealed that the moisture absorption affected the failure modes of the bonded joints, leading to a transition from fiber failure to adhesive failure. Hybrid bonded joints, incorporating pins to distribute stress, exhibited improved stability and higher ultimate loads compared to simple joints. This work contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing a comprehensive understanding of the moisture absorption/desorption behavior and mechanical properties of GFRP composites and adhesive bonded joints under hydrothermal aging. The findings highlight the need for further investigation into the underlying mechanisms, long-term durability, and development of moisture barrier coatings to enhance the performance of GFRP composites in challenging environmental conditions.

Surrogate models to unlock the optimal design of stiffened panels accounting for ultimate strength reduction due to welding residual stress

In this paper, for the first time, a three-step approach for the optimal design of stiffened panels accounting for the ultimate limit state due to welding residual stress is developed. First, authors rely on state-of-the-art analytical approaches coupled with recently data-driven nonlinear finite element methods surrogates characterized by functional which are computationally expensive to build but computationally inexpensive to use. Then, surrogates are used within a design optimization loop to find new optimal designs since nonlinear finite element methods are too computationally demanding for this purpose. Finally, the new designs are reassessed with the original nonlinear finite element methods to verify that substituting them with their surrogates in the optimization loop actually leads to better designs. Results obtained optimizing a series of parameters of a commonly used stiffened panel geometry under different scenarios will support the authors’ novel approach.

Comparison of compressive, flexural, and temperature-induced ductility behaviours of steel-PVA hybrid fibre reinforced OPC and geopolymer concretes after high temperatures exposure

This paper presents a comparison of the performances of geopolymer concrete (GPC) and ordinary Portland cement concrete (OPCC) with and without fibres after exposure to 200, 500, and 800 ˚C. The influences of elevated temperatures on the concretes were investigated by the cracking patterns, residual compressive strength, flexural toughness, failure modes, ductility, and thermogravimetric analysis. The results indicate that steel-PVA hybrid fibre is effective to improve the initial flexural strength, flexural toughness, and equivalent flexural strength ratio of GPC and OPCC. Exposure to temperatures at 500 ˚C and above caused distinct deterioration in mechanical properties of the concrete specimens. Additionally, temperature-induced ductility behaviour, which is quantitatively characterised by equivalent flexural strength ratio and normalized absorbed energy (NAE), is observed in concrete specimens after exposure to 500 and 800˚C. The temperature-induced ductility behaviour having an obvious characteristic of ultimate flexural strength reduction and ductility increase, which is influenced by decomposition of the components at elevated temperatures. The decomposition of calcium compound is the primary factor for the higher mass loss values for OPC than the geopolymer specimens.

Seismic Bearing Capacity of Eccentrically and Obliquely Loaded Strip Footings on Geosynthetic-Reinforced Soil

The paper aims to evaluate the pseudostatic seismic bearing capacity of shallow foundations on geosynthetic-reinforced granular soil subjected to inclined/eccentric combined loading. This is achieved through a comprehensive set of lower-bound finite-element limit analysis (LB FELA) simulations adopting the second-order cone programming. The pseudostatic seismic loading is incorporated into the element equilibrium equations as body forces. Both sliding and structural modes of geosynthetic failure are simulated within the FELA framework. The influences of pseudostatic acceleration, embedment depth (u), and the ultimate tensile strength (Tu) of the reinforcement layer on the failure mechanism, bearing capacity ratio, and failure envelope of the overlying obliquely/eccentrically loaded shallow foundation are thoroughly investigated and discussed. It is generally concluded that at a given reinforcement embedment depth, failure envelopes shrink substantially with the increase of the seismic horizontal acceleration and the reduction of the geosynthetic ultimate tensile strength.

Mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of amine‐ and non‐functionalized reduced graphene oxide/epoxy carbon fiber‐reinforced polymers

AbstractGraphene and its related materials are increasingly applied in fiber‐reinforced polymers to tailor their material properties for high performance composites. Yet, the use of graphene derivatives that underwent a plasma functionalization process is not well understood. This study uses 1.50 wt.% of unfunctionalized (rGO) or plasma‐treated reduced graphene oxide with amine‐functionalities (frGO) in an epoxy matrix to prepare unidirectional pre‐impregnated carbon fibers. The material characteristics of the graphene‐modified carbon fiber‐reinforced polymers (g‐CFRP) are compared to the neat carbon fiber‐reinforced polymer (CFRP). Both g‐CFRP configurations exhibit a higher void content than the neat CFRP. No significant difference between the CFRP and the g‐CFRPs is observed with respect to the Young's modulus, glass transition temperature, storage modulus, specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity at room temperature, and in‐plane electrical conductivity. Yet, a reduction in ultimate tensile strength of up to −13% is noted. In addition, the apparent interlaminar shear strength and transverse electrical conductivity are increased by up to +12% for the rGO‐CFRP and +52% for the frGO‐CFRP. This knowledge will support the selection of additives for fiber‐reinforced polymers for, for example, lightning strike protection in aircrafts, sensory materials, electromagnetic interference shielding or heat transfer elements.

Parametric study on the partially interconnected steel plate shear walls with stiffeners

Steel plate shear walls are a popular and effective lateral load-resisting system used in high-rise buildings. However, limited interconnection between the infill plate and boundary elements is recommended to avoid direct demands on the boundary elements and brittle modes of behavior. But previous studies have shown that the absence of interconnection between infill plates and columns in steel plate shear walls with beam-connected systems can reduce the system’s performance significantly. This study proposes procedures to improve the performance of steel plate shear walls with limited infill plate interconnections. Sixty-two parametric computational models were investigated with and without boundary infill plate stiffeners and different infill plate widths to find efficient procedures for eliminating the lack of interconnections. Results show that utilizing boundary stiffeners can increase ultimate strength, energy dissipation, and stiffness by 15%, 20%, and 24% on average. The width of the infill plate and boundary stiffeners are identified as key factors in the system’s performance. Reducing the infill plate width without using stiffeners exacerbates the performance of the lateral resisting system, resulting in a reduction of ultimate strength, energy absorption, and stiffness up to 17%, 24%, and 56%, respectively. Analytical equations are proposed and verified to predict the behavior of steel plate shear walls with partial infill plate interconnections with or without boundary stiffeners. Overall, the study provides procedures and recommendations to improve the performance of steel plate shear walls with limited infill plate interconnections.