Behavior of Steel Plate Shear Walls Subjected to Long Duration Earthquakes

Keywords: Earthquake engineering, steel plate shear wall, long duration earthquakes, steel moment frame, steel gravity frame, seismic performance of steel plate shear walls

Abstract: This research was conducted to provide a deeper understanding of the seismic response of steel plate shear walls (SPSW) when subjected to long duration earthquakes. A parametric study was conducted for various configurations of SPSWs, which were analyzed using nonlinear inelastic dynamic analyses. The presence of the steel plate infill was found to delay yielding of the boundary frame, limit the overall accumulation of residual drifts, and significantly restrict the boundary frame from drifting freely. It continued to provide strength and stability even after extensive exposure to seismic loading. In addition, it was found that the presence of substantial boundary frame members is important for achieving appropriate performance of the SPSW structural system as a whole, as the horizontal boundary element members accounted for a significant part of the system’s energy dissipation, even when the steel plate yielded beyond its preceding maximum elongation. Moment connections within the boundary frame were found to be instrumental in limiting drifts and preventing collapse. Overall, the effects of increasing earthquake duration for the SPSWs were found to be not as detrimental as those for the bare frame.