MONOTONIC AND CYCLIC TESTS OF TIMBER SHEAR WALLS

The results for monotonic (ramp load) and slow cyclic racking tests of timber shear walls are presented. The tests are part of an extensive experimental and analytical study to investigate the behaviour of timber shear walls subjected to earthquakes. The results of full-size shear wall tests show the important influence of the nail connection between the sheathing and the framing on the load-displacement characteristics of shear walls. The premise that the hysteresis for the shear wall is contained within an envelope defined by the monotonic load-displacement curve for the wall is confirmed. Also, the hysteresis is studied to determine the physical behaviour that causes the shape of the hysteresis to be dependent on the maximum displacement of the wall. Both the monotonic and cyclic racking behaviours of timber shear walls are established; and the performances of plywood and waferboard sheathed shear walls are compared.