An analytical approach for multi-panel CLT shearwalls attached to the base with equally spaced anchors

The ability of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) walls to resist gravity loads has been well-documented, and the required design provisions have been established. CLT shearwalls have also been successfully used as lateral load resistance systems. Although several analytical approaches have been developed to establish the mechanical behaviour of CLT shearwalls, no published methodology has been found that covers the case of multi-panel CLT shearwalls anchored directly to the floor using screws instead of mechanical anchors. An elastic methodology, developed using the minimum potential energy method, has been established to enable analysis of multi-panel CLT shearwalls connected to the foundation or floor below and floor above using equally spaced anchors. Screw fasteners are used to demonstrate the proposed concept. The developed elastic method is presented for a two-panel CLT shearwall to also incorporate the inelastic properties of the connections. The consistency kinematic regions are plotted to demonstrate how different wall configurations affect the final lateral mode of the shearwalls. The elastic capacity of the developed multi-panel shearwalls is established. The analytical expressions are verified by comparing them with numerical models with near perfect match observed.