Development of Multi-Row Slit Shear Walls Using Low Yield Point Steel

Abstract

The steel slit shear wall, in which stiffness and strength are controlled by altering the length, interval and pattern of slits, has been studied as an earthquake-resisting element with high energy dissipation capacity. Local buckling in each link (the segment between slits) and strength degradation that would cause reduction of energy dissipation capacity can be restrained by increasing the number of slit rows with keeping the strength and stiffness constant. This paper proposes the use of low yield point steel (LY100) for the steel slit shear wall. Expansion of plasticity caused by the significant strain hardening of LY100 makes shear deformation distribution more equal in each slit row and disperses the strain concentrated in the edge of links. Furthermore, the larger maximum rupture strain of LY100 than that of conventional steel reduces the risk of fracture at the edge of link. The advantages of the proposed steel slit shear wall are demonstrated by both the test and analysis.