Characteristics of the wall–frame interaction in steel plate shear walls

The nonlinear response of steel plate shear wall (SPSW) dual systems under lateral loading with regard to the interaction between the infill plates and frame members is studied. A number of SPSWs are numerically analyzed and the results are utilized to discuss (a) the influence of infill plates on the behavior of frames and (b) to evaluate their degree of effectiveness in resisting lateral loads. Results show that SPSWs designed according to design codes should have desirable sequences of yielding and that plastic deformations should primarily be provided by the infill plates. It is illustrated that the infill plates are very effective in the initial stages of loading (up to the drift angle of 1% ) and absorb substantial part of storey shear. However, once diagonal yield zones develop in the infill plates, they begin to lose their effectiveness; and when yield zones spread throughout the wall, additional applied loads are essentially carried by the frame members.