Concrete-Plated Wooden Shear Walls: Structural Details, Testing, and Seismic Characterization

This paper discusses the structural characterization of a novel hybrid shear-wall system formed by coupling standard platform-frame panels with an external reinforced concrete shelter formed of precast slabs screwed to the wooden frames. The external RC skin is intended as a supplementary bracing system, increasing strength and dissipative capacity of the bare timber frame. The structural performance of such hybrid shear wall under monotonic and cyclic loading was first theorized analytically on the basis of code provisions and then confirmed via experimental tests. The novel shear walls demonstrated to fulfill the requirements prescribed by Eurocode 8. In particular, the analyzed system belongs to high ductility class (HDC). Finally the seismic response of a reference building realized with the innovative hybrid shear walls was simulated by means of a numerical model validated on experimental tests; the suitable behavior factor for the building was estimated.