Seismic behavior of innovative hybrid CLT-steel shear wall for mid-rise buildings.

This paper examines the seismic behavior of CLT-steel hybrid walls at 6- and 10-story heights to increase seismic force resistance compared to conventional wooden walls. The ultra-strong shear walls proposed in this paper are called Framing Panel Shear Walls (FPSW), which are based on a robust articulated steel frame braced with CLT board panels and steel tendons. Timber structures are well-known for their ecological benefits, as well as their excellent seismic performance, mainly due to the high strength-to-weight ratio compared to steel and concrete ones, flexibility, and redundancy. However, in order to meet the requirements regarding the maximum inter-story drifts prescribed in seismic design codes, a challenging engineering problem emerges, because sufficiently resistant, rigid and ductile connections and lateral assemblies are not available for timber to meet both the technical and economical restrictions. Therefore, it is necessary to develop strong and cost-effective timber-based lateral systems, in order to become a real alternative to mid- and high-rises, especially in seismic countries. In this investigation, the dynamic response of cross-laminated timber (CLT) combined with hollow steel profiles has been investigated in shear wall configuration. After experimental work, research was also carried out into numerical modelling for simulating the cyclic behavior of a hybrid FPSW wall and the spectral modal analysis of buildings of 6- and a 10-stories with FPSW. A FPSW shear wall can double the capacity and stiffness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]