Analytical Model for Cold-formed Steel Framed Shear Wall with Steel Sheet Sheathing

The cold-formed steel framed shear wall sheathed with steel sheet sheathing (CFS-SSSW) is a code approved lateral force resisting system for light framed construction. The AISI Steel Framing Standards – Lateral Design (AISI S213-07) provides design provisions for CFS-SSSW. The development of the nominal strength of CFS-SSSW in AISI S213 was based on full-scale experiments which were subjected to limitations in both wall configurations and material properties. This paper presents an analytical model – the Effective Strip Model developed for predicting the nominal strength of CFS-SSSWs. The proposed analytical model and supporting design equations are further verified by experimental results. The proposed design approach shows good agreements with test results. The statistical assessment indicates that the new design method is reliable and providing designers an alternate tool to determine the capacity of CFS-SSSWs besides conducting full-scale physical shear wall testing