In this investigation, thirty-six shear walls measuring 8 feet (2.4 m) in width and possessing heights of 8, 9 and 10 feet (2.4, 2.7 and 3.0 m) were subjected to the reversed, cyclic loading schedule of the standard CUREE protocol in order to determine the performance capabilities of shear walls greater than 8 feet (2.4 m) in height sheathed with long panels. Of the thirty-six walls, a total of twelve walls measuring 9 and 10 feet (2.7 and 3.0 m) in height were sheathed with 4 x 8 feet (1.2 x 2.4 m) panels which required additional blocking members between the studs of the frame. Values obtained from the tests performed on these walls provided a direct comparison to those obtained from the walls of equal height, but sheathed with a long panel capable of spanning the entire height of the wall. The capabilities of long panels were investigated when used as the sheathing elements of shear walls with and without a mechanical hold-down device attached to the base of the end stud. An advantage of the long panel was investigated in which it was extended past the bottom plate and down onto the band joist to determine if significant resistance to the uplift present in walls without mechanical hold-down devices could be provided. Also, the effects of orienting the fibers of a 4 x 9 feet (1.2 x 2.7 m) panel in the alternate direction were examined. Average values of the parameters produced by walls sheathed with long panels either matched or exceeded those of its counterpart sheathed with 4 x 8 feet (1.2 x 2.4 m) panels in all configurations except the 10 feet (3.0 m) tall wall without hold-down devices. In fact, 4 x 9 feet (1.2 x 2.7 m) panels increased the performance of 9 feet (2.7 m) tall walls equipped with hold-down restraint significantly. Extending the long panels past the bottom plate and down onto the band joist improved the performance of both 8 and 9 feet (2.4 and 2.7 m) tall prescriptive shear walls significantly. Walls sheathed with panels made of fibers oriented in the alternate direction performed identically to those sheathed with panels of typical fiber orientation until the point of peak load. Once peak load was reached, walls sheathed with panels of alternate oriented fibers failed in a more sudden and brittle manner.

Master of Science