Experimental Study on Racking Performance of Light-frame Shear Walls with Various Sheathing Materials

Abstract:

Monotonic experimental study on racking performance of ten light frame shear walls of 2.44 m×2.44 m with five different sheathing materials were conducted.The sheathing materials investigated was the imported OSB panels,domestic OSB panels,domestic plywood panel,magnesium board and gypsum board.Failure modes and load-displacement curves of shear walls with various sheathing materials are obtained and yield load,ultimate load,elastic stiffness and ductility of those shear walls were found through calculation and analysis.Test results show that comparing with shear wall with imported OSB panel,shear walls with domestic plywood and OSB panels improve the bearing capacity,ductility and energy dissipation a lot.Magnesium board is not only of good water and fire resistance but also better strength and toughness compared with gypsum board.Good mechanical properties of domestic sheathing make it applicable in the shear walls of light wood-frame house.