Experimental Study on Behaviors of Adaptive-slit Shear Walls

Abstract

In order to meet the needs of performance-based seismic design, a new type of adaptive-slit shear wall that is easy to construct and behaves well under cyclic loading is introduced to improve the seismic performance of conventional shear wall structures. The seismic damage of an adaptive-slit shear wall develops gradually and it transforms from integral wall into slit wall. The mechanical characteristics of adaptive-slit shear walls suggest that such walls are adaptive to various seismic requirements under earthquakes of different intensities. Compared with conventional shear walls, the new wall is highly ductile and is advantageous in controlling the seismic damage process.