COMPARISON OF STATIC AND DYNAMIC RESPONSE OF TIMBER SHEAR WALLS

Static and dynamic tests were conducted on wood frame shear walls to (1) determine the wall resistance to lateral loading; (2) examine the wall performance under fully reversed cycles of dynamic loading; and (3) compare the static and dynamic performance as measured using the same test facility. Tests were conducted on standard 2.44 by 2.44 m (8 by 8 ft) walls, constructed of plywood or oriented strand board sheathing. Four specimens were tested statically using the traditional ASTM E-564 test procedure: three half-cycles, loading monotonically to failure. Eight specimens were tested dynamically, using a proposed test standard that was recently developed by the Structural Engineers Association of Southern California. A comparison of the static and dynamic test results demonstrates several key differences. The ultimate loads measured in the dynamic tests are slightly less than those measured in the static tests; however, the ductility of the wall, when measured dynamically, is between 34 and 42% less than ...