Investigating the Influence of Openings on the Mechanical Performance of Cross-Laminated Timber Shearwalls

The suitability of using cross-laminated timber (CLT) shearwalls to resist seismic loading has been extensively investigated in recent years, mainly due to their ability to dissipate energy through controlled yielding mechanisms in mechanical connections. A considerably different behaviour and failure mechanisms are expected when window and door openings are incorporated into the shearwall, resulting in significant deformation and possible premature brittle failure mode in the CLT panel. This is particularly critical in the case where the opening is directly cut out of the wooden panel, allowing for structural continuity between the wall segments and the lintel beam element or parapet. An alternative way to introduce openings in a CLT shearwall is by joining separate lintel and parapet elements to the wall segments using connections that usually do not allow for any moment continuity between those timber elements. Regardless of the construction techniques, designers usually assume the segmented method due to its simplicity. The effect of lintel beam height and parapet height on the failure mechanism and mechanical properties of single-storey CLT shearwall with multiple openings has been investigated in this paper by using a valid finite-element (FE) model. The influence of the construction techniques and the potential benefit that could be achieved in design by cutting the openings rather than assembling separated elements during the manufacturing process are investigated and discussed.