Racking Behavior of Wood-Framed Gypsum Panels under Dynamic Load

摘要

The report describes an experimental test program which was conducted to determine the strength, damage mechanisms, displacement limits, and stiffnesses of walls constructed of wood light-framing and sheathed with gypsum board. Nearly identical walls were tested with lateral loads applied slowly or statically, at a slow cyclical rate, and at a dynamic rate. Two groups of walls were examined: walls with sheathing nailed to the frame, and walls with the sheathing nail-glued to the frames. In both groups the sheathing was placed in a horizontal position since previous studies indicated such placement results in improved strength. The tests were performed at the University of California Structural Research Laboratory. The experimental results proved that indeed the load resisting capacity of gypsum sheathed wall panels is substantial, particularly when the sheathing is glued to the frame. Gluing was shown, however, to result in a rather brittle form of wall failure. In all cases the walls had a lower capacity with application of cyclic loads, as compared to monotonic loading, and exhibited strength and stiffness deterioration with cycling. The damage limit state for the walls appeared to be at 0.2% drift, or 0.2 inches in an 8 ft. height.