Lateral behavior of plasterboard-clad residential steel frames

This paper presents a detailed investigation into the contribution of plast erboard to the lateral resistance of cold-formed steel-framed residential s tructures. It details the development of a finite-element model for lateral ly loaded plasterboard-lined cold-formed steel wall frames for residential construction. The model utilizes nonlinear element properties and three-dim ensional geometrical configurations and is capable of simulating the influe nce of boundary conditions such as corner return walls and ceiling cornices . The analytical results from the finite-element model were successfully ve rified against experimental racking test results. A sensitivity analysis wa s conducted using the model to study the influence of return walls, ceiling cornices, and wall length on the lateral capacity of the wall system. It i s concluded that a wall with corner return walls, ceiling cornices, and ski rting boards has more than three times the lateral capacity of an identical isolated wall panel. The relationship between the wall length and the ulti mate lateral load-carrying capacity of the wall system is dependent on the presence of these boundary conditions.