Shear Resistance of Gypsum-Sheathed Light-Gauge Steel Stud Walls

This paper presents detailed results on the shear behavior of 2.44 m by 2.44 m light-gauge steel stud walls for three different shear resisting systems: framed walls with 20 gauge flat strap X-bracing on the face—type A; framed walls with 12.5 mm (1/2 in.) single-ply gypsum wallboard on the back and 12.5 mm (1/2 in.) single-ply gypsum sheathing board on the face—type B; and framed walls with 12.5 mm (1/2 in.) single-ply gypsum wallboard on the back, 12.5 mm (1/2 in.) gypsum sheathing board on the face, and 20 gauge flat strap X-bracing on face—type C. The steel framing used in these tests is typical of framing used in residential construction. The behavior of the type A walls was governed by the yield strength of the straps with practically no resistance provided by flexure in the studs. In the type B and type C tests, the measured maximum load was controlled by the breaking of the wallboard along its edges. The failure mechanism was initiated by a rotation of the screws at the edges. This was followed by...