SIP Shear Walls: Cyclic Performance of High-Aspect-Ratio Segments and Perforated Walls

Abstract

Increasing stringency of energy codes and the growing market demand for more energy efficient buildings gives structural insulated panel (SIP) construction an opportunity to increase its use in commercial and residential buildings. However, shear wall aspect ratio limitations and lack of knowledge on how to design SIPs with window and door openings are barriers to the wider adoption of SIP technology. An experimental study was conducted to evaluate the lateral resistance performance of high-aspect-ratio SIP shear wall segments and SIP shear walls with window and door openings. At most two replicates of fully anchored SIP shear walls were cyclically tested at the following aspects ratios: 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, and 4:1. Five additional tests were conducted with multiple SIP wall panels that contained various sized door and window openings. Based on the experiments, the unit stiffness of the SIP shear wall varied by aspect ratio and the unit shear capacity decreased with increasing aspect ratio. Spline joints between wall segments also decreased capacity. Finally, test results indicate that multiple segment SIP shear walls with openings follow the overall trend predicted by the perforated shear wall method for both strength and stiffness.

Citation

Kochkin, Vladimir; Rammer, Douglas R.; Kauffman, Kevin; Wiliamson, Thomas; Ross, Robert J. 2015. SIP Shear walls: cyclic performance of high-aspect-ratio segments and perforated walls. Research Paper FPL-RP-682. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory. 21 pp.