Nonlinear FE-analysis and testing of light-frame timber shear walls subjected to cyclic loading

Light-frame timber shear walls have been used as load-bearing elements in buildings for several decades. To predict the performance of such structural under loading, numerous analytical and numerical models developed. However, little focus has on prediction plastic damage behaviour unloading walls. In this paper, a parametric Finite Element (FE) model is further developed by introducing elasto-plastic connectors to simulate mechanical sheathing-to-framing connections. verify accuracy model, full-size were tested compared with results from simulations. The results, few loading cycles, indicate that achieves reasonable predicting both nonlinear elastic deformations. Both experimental simulation demonstrate importance opening locations relating external racking force. also double-layer wall, its strength can be achieved summation separate contribution each layer. Furthermore, internal layer was observed contribute significantly less than since nail pattern based sheathing