Evaluation of the structural performance of wood shear walls subjected to lateral loading and moisture cycling

It would be valuable to do a holistic study on the performance of wood shear walls under different situations while accounting for related material properties of wood composites by using modern testing and analysis techniques. However, researchers have had to break down these broad studies into specific areas, using limited feasible research tools and methods.;The objectives of this study were to develop an experimental and analysis method, combined with modern non-destructive methods, using a small-scale testing platform in order to comprehensively evaluate the structural performance of wood shear walls subjected to lateral loading and moisture cycling.;The objectives were fulfilled through an investigation of twenty six 1.2- by 1.2-m wood shear assemblies with different configurations and moisture cycling under monotonic, cyclic CUREE and non-reversal loading protocols. The overall structural performances of small-scale wood shear assemblies were evaluated comprehensively through statistical analysis. Different single wood-nail connections were tested combined with acoustic emission (AE) monitoring and X-ray density scanning in order to obtain more fundamental information. The AE method was successfully used to monitor the damage accumulation of both wood shear assemblies and wood-nail connections.;The overall performance of wood shear walls were reasonably predicated by a CASHEW program. A nonlinear beam element representing single wood-nail connection was developed to improve the finite element analysis which is capable of assessing local deformation in detail and deals with complex load situations. Both testing and analysis shows a consistent scale-ratio effect.;The project focused on development of a feasible time-and-cost-effective small-scale test and analysis platform for comprehensive evaluation of wood composites and wood shear walls. It not only improves the current tests and analysis methods of wood shear walls; it can also help to find the key properties of wood composites related to end-use and optimize the panel performance in service.