Deflection of Wood-Frame Shear Walls Under Large Lateral Loads: Analytical Design Equations Versus Experimental Data

Wood-frame shear walls are known to be efficient and cost-effective structural systems in resisting lateral loads. Conventional shear walls with regular discrete hold-downs are often used in low-rise wood-frame buildings. However, in mid-rise buildings, shear walls with higher capacity are required to resist larger lateral forces. Previous research on high-capacity wood-frame shear walls has shown that the anchoring system has a significant effect on lateral displacement and stiffness of walls. Research on structural performance of high-capacity wood-frame shear walls (with different anchorage systems) is limited. Hence, development of new design recommendations of such systems has been increasingly sought after since the provisions in current North American cater to only conventional shear walls. In light of this, this research preformed a comprehensive survey and collected experimental data from previous research to examine the applicability of current design provisions on high-capacity shear walls with different configurations. For comparison purpose, conventional shear walls are also studied. The deflections of a range of walls with different hold-down systems were calculated based on the equations provided in the American Wood Council (AWC) 2021 Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (SDPWS) and the Canadian Standard Association (CSA O86). The accuracy of each set of design equations was evaluated, and the validity range of such equations for different categories of walls including low-capacity and high-capacity walls was determined. According to this investigation, further research on high-capacity shear walls with continuous rod hold-downs is needed.