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In order to introduce self-piercing rivet (SPR) technique to component connections of thin-walled steel structures, 78 SPR joints were tested to evaluate their quality and the shear strength. Parameters included in this test program were the sheet thickness, and the rivet. Based on test results, the research developed an empirical formula between the combination thicknesses of sheet and rivet length, and proposed quality evaluation standard of SPR connections and a new design method of shear strength. The test results showed that sheet thickness and sheet thickness ratio had a great effect on failure mode, and rivet length was a key factor on shear properties of SPR connections. The proposed quality evolution standard and design calculation method of shear strength in this paper had certain reasonability and reliability.

With the purpose of introducing a new connection to cold-formed steel structure, this paper presents an experimental investigation of cold-formed steel (CFS) shear walls with self-piercing riveted (SPR) connections under monotonic and reversed cyclic loading. The effects of loading type (Monotonic and Cyclic), rivet spacing at the steel sheet edges, rivet number at CFS framing joints, axial compression ratio, and the steel sheathing types (steel sheet sheathing and corrugated steel sheathing) on mechanical behavior and failure modes of CFS shear walls were investigated. The shear strength, initial stiffness, and ductility of CFS shear walls with SPR connections were evaluated by comparing to the results of CFS shear walls with self-drilling screw connections under the same condition. Lateral loading, safety factor, and resistance factor under the wind and seismic loads were determined in accordance with test results of CFS shear wall with SPR connections. The research indicated that the rivet spacing at the sheet edges was a key factor affecting failure modes and mechanical properties of CFS shear walls. The relationship of shear strength and ultimate deformation decreased linearly with the increase of the rivet spacing. Compared to CFS shear walls with self-drilling screw, CFS shear walls with SPR have significantly improved shear strength and stiffness. Safety factor and resistance factor recommended by AISI Seismic Design Standard are conservative for the wind and seismic design of CFS shear wall using SPR connections.