Numerical study of low-yield point steel shear walls used for seismic applications

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to provide the research and practising engineers with insight on the benefits of using low-yield point steel with respect to ordinary steel as a construction material for shear wall panels. The paper seeks to focus on the behaviour of such panels when installed in new or existing structures in order to improve theft seismic performance. Design/methodology/approach - Finite element models are applied in order to approximate the structural response of low-yield steel panels, used for seismic applications. Owing to the specific characteristics of the problem at hand, geometric and material nonlinearities have to be accurately considered. For comparison reasons, low-yield point steel and ordinary steel are considered as construction materials for the aforementioned panels. The paper examines both the case of "pure shear" steel panel and also the more realistic case that the panel is encased in the surrounding frame. Findings - The paper reaches a number of interesting conclusions. The beneficial behaviour of low-yield steel panels with respect to ordinary steel panels is verified. Comments are made distinguishing the differences in the behaviour of panels surrounded by strong elements ("encased" panels) compared with that of panels submitted to pure shear. Finally, the improved seismic behaviour of existing structures retrofitted by shear wall panels is verified. Originality/value - The paper exhibits numerically the advantages of low-yield point steel with respect to ordinary steel as a construction material for panels and, second, contributes to the comprehension of the realistic panel behaviour of encased panels. More specifically, the paper focuses on the differences in the behaviour of encased steel panels with respect to the "pure shear" steel panels.