Development and Experimental Verification of Corrugated Steel Sheathed CFS Shear Walls with a Self-Centering Energy Dissipation Brace

Why It Matters

The technology delivers higher strength and self‑centering ability, cutting post‑earthquake repair costs and downtime for structures in seismic regions.

Key Takeaways

• SCEDB walls boost shear capacity up to 47% for Q915 sheathing.
• Residual drift reductions reach 52% with self‑centering brace.
• Failure mode shifts to ductile sheathing‑dominated behavior.
• Enables more reparable, resilient mid‑rise construction in earthquakes.

Pulse Analysis

Cold‑formed steel shear walls have become popular for low‑rise and mid‑rise buildings because of their light weight and ease of fabrication. However, traditional CFS walls with corrugated steel sheathing often suffer from brittle stud buckling under seismic loading, limiting their resilience. The introduction of a self‑centering energy dissipation brace (SCEDB) addresses this gap by providing both stiffness and a mechanism to absorb and release seismic energy, aligning with modern performance‑based design standards.

In a series of component‑level and full‑scale experiments, three SCEDB configurations were evaluated, revealing an optimal design that generated flag‑shaped hysteresis loops. Compared with unbraced walls, the SCEDB‑enhanced specimens achieved up to a 47% increase in shear capacity for the thinner Q915 sheathing and a 27% boost for the thicker V76 panels. More importantly, residual drifts—an indicator of post‑event damage—were cut by 40‑52% for Q915 and 24‑31% for V76 walls. The brace also altered the failure mechanism, moving from stud buckling to a more ductile pattern dominated by panel buckling and screw‑connection yielding, which is easier to repair.

The implications for the construction industry are significant. By delivering higher strength, self‑centering performance, and improved ductility, the SCEDB system can reduce life‑cycle costs associated with seismic retrofits and post‑disaster repairs. Its compatibility with existing CFS fabrication processes facilitates adoption without major retooling. As building codes in earthquake‑prone regions increasingly emphasize resilience and reparability, the SCEDB‑enhanced corrugated steel sheathed walls position themselves as a forward‑looking solution for developers seeking both safety and economic efficiency. Continued research on long‑term durability and cost‑benefit analysis will be key to broader market acceptance.