Deflections of light timber frame shear wall segments: validation of a standard proposal

This paper focuses on the evaluation of the horizontal displacement of a light timber frame shear wall, due to several components: fastener slip, rigid body rotation, rigid body translation and shear deformation. The approach of the working draft for the new Eurocode 5 is presented, also explaining background literature and the alternative current prescriptions adopted by the Canadian and American design standards. The new European proposal is used as a base for setting up a FEM model in SAP2000, which is then employed for establishing a benchmark for the comparisons. Lastly, past experimental campaigns are studied for the evaluation of the effectiveness of the Eurocode 5 proposal in predicting the deflection of fully anchored and partially anchored shear walls. In conclusion, strengths and weaknesses of the new Eurocode proposal are highlighted.