Behavior and performance of cold-formed steel-framed houses under seismic action

In recent years important research activity has been undertaken in order to evaluate the earthquake performance of light-gauge steel-framed house structures. Almost all studies approach the problem of seismic response of these structures by characterising, experimentally and numerically, the performance of wall panels. Usually, the overall behavior of wall panels is mainly addressed. However, according to experimental evidences, the performance of the wall panels, as a whole, is governed by the performance of the connectors e.g.: sheeting-to-sheeting connectors, and sheeting-to-framing connectors. On the other hand the global behavior of the 3D structure of the house is significantly influenced by non-structural elements, traditionally not considered in the design procedures. The present paper summarizes the research activity carried out in the last few years at the Politehnica University of Timisoara, under the coordination of the author, with the aim to evaluate the performance and to characterise for design purpose the specific features of these structures. Monotonic and cyclic tests on full-scale shear panels, tests on connection details, and in situ ambiental vibration tests on a house under construction are reviewed and concluded in the following paper.