On the improvement of steel plate shear wall behavior using energy absorbent element

Abstract. Structural engineers have recognized unstiened Steel Plate Shear Wall (SPSW) as an economical lateral resisting system due to the post-buckling capacity, energy dissipation, and deformability. This study investigates practical application of an added Energy Absorbent Element (EAE), subjoined to the SPSW in order to improve seismic behavior of the SPSW. The EAE is an aluminum shear panel with or without bracings and surrounding frame. Furthermore, a series of parametric studies are implemented to examine the eect of dimensions, position, and formation of the EAE. It is assumed that the lateral loading is applied as quasi-static loading. Further, nonlinearity of the material and the geometry are included in the models. The results reveal that by adding the EAE adjacent to the surrounding frame of the SPSW, not only dissipated energy, but also ultimate strength of the system can be eciently increased.