A statistical and experimental investigation into the accuracy of capacity reduction factor for cold-formed steel shear walls with steel sheathing

•We collected and analyzed the results of previous tests relating to the reduction factor of 2w/h.•We test four specimens and compute the reduction factor and compare it with 2w/h.•We conclude that the value of 2w/h is conservative. Thus a relation is proposed for the reduction factor.

Buildings constructed of cold-formed steel members are increasingly used in many countries. In recent years, cold-formed steel shear walls with steel sheathing were introduced as lateral force resisting systems. Design provisions of these structures require that the shear strength of shear walls with a height to width aspect ratio (h/w) greater than 2:1 be reduced by the factor 2w/h for satisfying allowable story drift limit. In this research, the accuracy of the factor is investigated using the results of previous tests and the tests performed by the researcher. Results show that the reduction factor (2w/h) is conservative. Thus, a relation is proposed for the reduction factor.