Shake table tests on small-scale low-rise structural walls with various sections

Five shake table tests on small-scale low-rise structural walls were perfor med. The walls were made with different sections, namely I, T, L, Z and C s hapes, to study the effect of section shape on the mechanical behaviour of such walls. It was found from the tests that the wall with a Z shape suffer ed a premature failure owing to the additional out-of-plane forces; therefo re, low-rise structural walls with a section of Z shape are not recommended for use. On the other hand, when the experimental primary curves of such w alls are used to predict the dynamic response, the hysteretic loops of such walls can be predicted with acceptable accuracy.