Evaluation of behavior of the secondary columns in semi-supported steel shear walls

• This paper presented an analytical approach to investigate out of plane buckling of the secondary columns in semi-supported steel shear walls.
• Using the Jahanpour׳s step by step method that was presented in the previous research and also in this method, it can be used to generate interaction curves to analyze and design this system.
• The interaction curves can be easily used by engineers in design offices.
• The result of analysis of the analytical method is very close to nonlinear finite element analysis.
• The solution process in the proposed method is independent on the size of shear wall.

Semi-supported steel shear walls (SSSW), whose steel plate is connected to secondary columns rather than main columns of the frame, have been considered as an alternative steel shear walls to the traditional type. Many investigations have been made for proportionate designing of components of SSSW system. One of the important issues in this regard is the out of plane buckling of the secondary columns. In this paper, the plastic theory of structures is utilized to find out the axial force distribution, along the compressive column. Then, using energy method, for an assumed shear wall with specific geometry and material and a given shear force, the maximum overturning moment that makes the compressive secondary column buckles, can be determined. Repeating this method, for various shear forces, makes it possible to draw some interaction curves between overturning moments and shear forces. These curves can be used to analyze and design of semi-supported steel shear walls.