The coupled steel plate shear wall (C-SPSW) system is emerging as a promising configuration for resisting lateral loads in high seismic regions. A C-SPSW is composed of two wall piers, which are special steel plate shear walls (SPSW), joined at the floor levels by coupling beams. The C-SPSW configuration is expected to retain the benefits of the conventional SPSW configuration and provide additional structural efficiency while introducing greater flexibility related to building services and function. However, current provisions do not address analysis and design of C-SPSWs and further research is needed to develop these guidelines. As part of a multi-institution NEESR project on steel plate shear walls, this research explores design procedures for C-SPSW, which build on current provisions for conventional SPSWs. These design procedures are evaluated in the context of a six-story prototype structure. The response of the prototype structure under static loading is studied using numerical models to investigate behavior and performance and to evaluate design procedures. To further study C-SPSW behavior and to validate the design procedures, a large-scale subassembly is being developed for laboratory testing. The preliminary experimental setup and specimen design are described here.
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