Seismic Design Method for CFS Diagonal Strap-Braced Stud Walls: Experimental Validation

The search for innovative methods to ensure high structural, technological and environmental performance is an important issue in the development of new constructions. Among the several available building systems, constructions involving the structural use of Cold-Formed Steel (CFS) profiles represent an efficient and reliable solution. In an effort to characterize the seismic response of CFS structures and to support the spreading of these systems, a theoretical and experimental research has been carried out at University of Naples Federico II within the Italian research project RELUIS-DPC 2010-2013. It focused on the "all steel design" solution, in which CFS diagonal strap-braced stud walls are the main lateral resisting system. In order to overcome the lack of information in the current European codes, a critical analysis of the requirements for these systems provided by the AISI S213-2007 has been carried out by comparing them with those given by Eurocodes for hot-rolled X-braced steel frames (tension-only). On the basis of the design hypothesis outlined from this analysis, a case study has been developed with the aim to define an extended experimental campaign involving 12 tests on full-scale CFS diagonal strap-braced stud walls. Finally, on the basis of experimental results, the assumed design prescriptions and requirements, such as the force modification factor and the capacity design rules, have been verified.