Seismic behaviour and design of steel coupling beams in a hybrid coupled shear wall systems

The hybrid coupled shear wall system is more efficient and economical than individual structural walls because the steel coupling beams connected shear walls significantly increase the strength, stiffness and energy dissipation capacity of the system. In this study, experimental studies on the steel coupling beam were carried out. The main test variables were the ratios of the coupling beam strength to the connection strength. In addition, the seismic design methods are presented for steel coupling beam-wall connection and shear critical and flexure critical steel coupling beams in hybrid coupled shear wall system consisting of steel coupling beams and reinforced concrete shear walls. Finally, this paper provides background for design guidelines in hybrid coupled shear walls that include steel coupling beam-wall connections and steel coupling beams. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier B.V.