Steel Plate Shear Walls in the Upcoming 2010 AISC Seismic Provisions and 2009 Canadian Standard S16

Abstract

Steel plate shear walls were introduced into US codes as "Special Plate Shear Walls" (SPSW) in the 2005 edition of the AISC Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings, also referred to as AISC 341; the provisions were derived from those in Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standard CAN/CSA-S16-01. Limit States Design of Steel Structures Steel plate shear wall provisions originally appeared in the 1994 edition of Canadian standard S16 as a non-mandatory appendix. Since this introduction, the system's use in the US and elsewhere, as well as design studies, has led to a refinement of several aspects of the design requirements, which are being considered for the 2010 AISC editions. Simultaneously, AISC 341 is being revised to clarify the desired behavior and basis of design for each system. These developments have resulted in the following changes for SPSW: explicit definition of the capacity-design mechanism; identification of expected regions of inelastic strain; simplification of the calculation of web-tension angle; clarification of strong-column/weak-beam design procedures; and inclusion of methodologies for perforated web plates and walls with reinforced corner cut-outs. Additionally, changes to AISC 341 that would permit design of columns considering expected forces below those corresponding to the sum of all member capacities are being considered. This paper presents some of the anticipated changes to the SPSW provisions in the context of the broader changes to AISC 341. Since their original introduction into CSA standard S16, steel plate shear wall design provisions have evolved as new research into their behavior has become available and field experience has been gained. In the upcoming 2009 edition of the standard, changes to the provisions are expected to be largely consistent with those being considered for incorporation into the new AISC seismic provisions, including such issues as improved capacity design guidance and the introduction of a means of design for steel plate shear walls with perforated infill plates. Some of the anticipated changes to S16 are also discussed below.