Experimental study on cyclic behavior of trapezoidally corrugated steel shear walls

This paper presents the research works on the cyclic behavior of trapezoidally corrugated as well as unstiffened steel shear walls. A series of experimental studies were carried out on the half-scale, one-story, single-bay steel shear walls with unstiffened and trapezoidally corrugated panels. This experimental study was conducted to compare the stiffness, strength, ductility ratio and energy dissipation capacity of three different steel shear walls: unstiffened, trapezoidally vertical corrugated and trapezoidally horizontal corrugated. Gravity loads were not applied at the top of the walls and horizontal load was applied at the top of each specimen. Loading sequence was applied as displacement-control with increasing and decreasing amplitudes. The results reveal that although the ultimate strength of the unstiffened specimen is nearly 17% larger compared to that of the corrugated specimens, energy dissipation capacity, ductility ratio and the initial stiffness of the corrugated specimens are approximately 52%, 40% and 20% larger compared to the unstiffened specimen, respectively. The existing methods of analyzing unstiffened steel shear walls were also employed to evaluate the corrugated specimens. Although fairly good correlations were found between experimental and analytical studies in the initial stiffness and ultimate strength, more studies need to be implemented.

► Two trapezoidally corrugated, and one unstiffened steel shear walls are experimented. ► All of specimens are half-scale, one-story, single-bay steel shear walls. ► Obtained results reveal both corrugated models dissipate almost similar energy. ► Energy dissipation capacity of them is larger compared to unstiffened specimen. ► Ultimate strength of unstiffened specimen is larger compared to corrugated specimens.