An Analytical Model to Investigate the Effect of Diaphragms on the Elastic Behaviour of Multi-Storey Coupled-Panel Clt Shearwalls

This study develops an analytical model to describe the behaviour of multi-storey multi-panel CLT shearwalls, specifically accounting for cumulative loads between storeys and the effect of the diaphragm. The analysis considers the contribution of hold-downs, wall-to-floor connections, and panel-to-panel joints, as well as loads transferred from storeys above. The analysis has been developed for shearwalls acting as a series of coupled panels (CP) each individually rotating about a corner. Force transfer between storeys is implemented by distributing reactions through the upper floor diaphragm and a direct force from the upper storey's hold-down. Structuring the equations this way allows for a simplified formulation while including several components of the system's complex behaviour. Two-dimensional finite element modelling is used to verify the accuracy of the developed model.