Evaluation of the Structural Performance of Shear Walls Built by Multi-layer Composite Laminated Panels

• Author / Creator

  Zheng, Lin

• Recently, the implementation of cross-laminated timber (CLT) in building systems has rapidly developed in many countries including Canada. Despite this, further improvement in the product performance of CLT is desirable. Composite Laminated Panels (CLP) have been developed due to the need to overcome one of the key weaknesses of traditional CLT, namely the rolling shear failure. CLP is made by combining traditional lumber with structural composite lumber (SCL). This thesis focuses on the structural performance of CLP shear walls and their connections. The aim of this project was to evaluate the mechanical properties of CLP connections as well as the lateral load performance of CLP shear walls, and the feasibility of using current mechanics-based models to predict the strength of connections and shear walls fabricated with CLP.
  To study the structural performance of CLP connections together with CLP shear walls, this thesis presents experimental and analytical investigations. Monotonic and cyclic tests were carried out at both the fastener level and the wall level. Afterward, the predictions using current analytical models were compared with experimental results.
  Full-scale coupled CLP shear wall panels were tested with different connection configurations to achieve target kinematic wall behaviours under lateral load. The structural performance of the tested shear wall tests was characterised by lateral strength, stiffness, ductility ratio, and energy dissipation, which are all significant parameters required for seismic design. Furthermore, the experimental results also served to validate existing analytical models to predict the strength and deflection of CLT shear walls in the elastic region. It was found that the analytical model for predicting lateral strength of CLP shear walls generally gives good predictions, while the deflections of CLP shear walls were largely underestimated by the analytical deflection model.
  Specimens for connection tests were obtained by cutting the CLP panels from the undamaged parts of the panels after the shear wall tests. This study showed that the structural performance of CLP connections is significantly influenced by the properties of timber material. Replacing lumber with Laminated Strand Lumber (LSL) in the core layer exhibited a remarkable increase in stiffness and strength, and tended to fail in a ductile manner. The utilisation of LSL in face layers enhanced stiffness and strength, but reduced ductility.
  Overall, this investigation demonstrated that CLP connections and shear walls can provide similar or better performance compared with those fabricated with traditional CLT panels.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Composite Laminated Panel (CLP)
  • Shear wall tests
  • Connection properties
  • CLT

• Graduation date

  Spring 2023

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-c1pv-re52

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.