NONLINEAR SHEAR-WALL ANALYSIS

A finite-element program, WALSEIZ, capable of performing nonlinear ana lysis of a timber shear wall subjected to monotonic or dynamic loads i s presented. Each wall is composed of four elements: a beam element to model the framing, a plate element to model the sheathing, nonlinear springs to model the sheathing-to-framing connectors (the load-displac ement properties of which vary depending on whether monotonic or cycli c loads are applied), and a bilinear spring to model bearing between a djacent sheathing panels. The program can compute displacements at eac h of the nodes, forces, and stresses in each of the elements as a func tion of applied load for monotonic analysis and as a function of time for dynamic analysis. Results from the program are compared with exper imental data to validate the program. The program is being used in inv estigations on the response of shear walls subjected to dynamic loads such as earthquakes and hurricanes.