Seismic performance of cold-formed steel shear walls with a shear plate of low-yield steel

A novel cold-formed steel (CFS) sheathed and bare shear walls with a low-yield steel shear energy-dissipating plate is proposed by taking advantage of the plastic deformation generated by the shear plates to reduce the damage of CFS shear walls under earthquake. In this paper, the seismic performance of six CFS shear walls with shear plates using low-yield steel is experimentally studied through full-scale cyclic tests. Different configurations of energy dissipation segments and the replacement of the energy-dissipating shear plate after the earthquake (through two walls) are investigated. A list of influencing parameters on the performance of the shear walls is studied including the fixed conditions of the specimens, the type of built-up studs, the rigidity and strength of the shear plates, and the connection method between the shear plates and the walls. Overall, within a certain lateral displacement level, the damage of the shear wall is concentrated in the energy dissipation segment. The shear plate reaches the plastic stage before the CFS frame as designed. Meanwhile, the mechanical performance of repaired structures with the shear plate replacement after the earthquake is maintained well.