Seismic resistance of wood shear walls with large OSB panels

Results are presented from studies on the seismic resistance of wood shear walls sheathed with large (2.4 X 2.4 rn) and standard (1.2 X 2.4 m) size or iented strand board (OSB) panels. Comparisons were made among twelve 2.4 X 2.4 m walls tested under quasi-static monotonic and cyclic, as well as dyna mic, loads. In push-over tests, all walls reached a drift of approximately 2.5% at maximum load. A 26% increase in shear capacity was achieved using l arge panels. The nails that would be at internal seams in walls with standa rd panels were redistributed around the exterior edges of some large panel walls. They also showed a 104% increase in shear capacity and a 30% increas e in initial stiffness. These walls performed significantly better when tes ted dynamically, using the east-west motion recorded at Joshua Tree Station during the 1992 Landers, Calif., earthquake. Their maximum drift was reduc ed by approximately 25% over standard walls. Damage incurred during dynamic tests consisted mainly of nail pullout and tear out. Renailing at these lo cations is simple and can restore the wall to a satisfactory performance le vel.