Cyclic performance of perforated wood shear walls with oversize OSB panels

This paper reports the test results from a study investigating the influenc e of openings on the lateral resistance of wood-based shear walls built wit h both standard and oversize oriented strand board panels under monotonic a nd cyclic loading conditions. Test results showed that the application of n onstandard oversize panels significantly improved the performance of the pe rforated shear walls compared with standard 1.2 X 2.4 m panels. Door and wi ndow openings caused a significant decrease in the strength and stiffness o f the walls and precipitated a change in failure mode, especially for walls with oversize panels. Although nail failure modes were commonly observed i n walls without openings, a combination of nail and panel failures were obs erved in shear walls with openings. A newly proposed cyclic test protocol w as used that consisted of fewer but more severe displacement excursions, co mpared with many other test protocols. This was believed to better reflect typical earthquake excitation and avoid low cycle nail fatigue failures, wh ich were observed previously with long sequence cyclic test protocols.