Experimental Investigation of Light Steel Framing Walls under Horizontal Loading

The mechanical behavior of light steel framing (LSF) walls under horizontal (shear) loadings is reported and assessed in this paper. In total, an experimental program with twelve LSF (six monotonic six cyclic loading) was conducted, the main parameters investigated were (i) thickness (ii) material used as cladding (OSB, a plasterboard, sheet), (iii) spacing between fasteners (150 or 75 mm), (iv) influence using bracing elements. It concluded that doubling number increasing OSB by 80% lead to increases ultimate loads, respectively, 33 13%. ductility index sheets 50 75% lower than those remaining walls. wall strap x-bracing system presented lowest initial rigidity (a diaphragm effect could not be triggered these elements) highest damage extent at end testing parameter 0.85, due strap-to-steel structure connection). confirmed results obtained load can good predictors their loading as, for instance, loads both cases present average difference 4%.