An experimental investigation on the lateral behavior of knee-braced cold-formed steel shear walls

Experimental investigations were conducted to evaluate the lateral seismic characteristics of light-weight knee-braced cold-formed steel structures. In all, four full-scale 2.4×2.4 m2 specimens with different configurations were tested under a standard cyclic loading regime. This paper focuses on the specimensʹ maximum lateral load capacity and deformation behavior and provides a rational estimate of the seismic response modification factor, R, of knee-braced walls. The study also looks at the failure modes of the system and investigates the main factors contributing to the ductile response of CFS walls. That is in order to suggest improvements so that the shear steel walls respond plastically with a significant drift and without any risk of brittle failure, such as connection failure or stud buckling. A discussion on the calculated response factors in comparison to those suggested in the relevant codes of practice is also presented.