The performance of two types of Chinese screw nails in connections between sheathing and wood frame was assessed using ASTM-F1575-03. Specimens were tested in groups of 10, and both parallel-to-grain and perpendicular-to-grain specimens were tested in the case of ASTM-F1676-03. It was found that the type of nail had little effect on the performance of nail joints. Finally a modified model suitable to domestic nails in two directions was established on the basis of Foschi’s exponential model. The model provides useful data on the performance of sheathing-to-lumber connections.

Sixteen full-size single-storey shear walls 6.0 m in length and 2.44 m in height were tested: half with a flexible and half with a rigid load spreader. In addition, four full-size shear walls representing a typical two-storey configuration were tested. Comparisons of the initial stiffness, ultimate load and displacement, energy dissipation and axial force in anchor bolts of the test walls are presented. An increase of lateral load capacity due to rigid load spreader beam and from a second storey has been confirmed.