Experimental and numerical study of hysteresis behavior of innovative hybrid steel-timber shear wall system

This research presents hybrid steel-timber shear walls (HSTSWs) as an environmentally friendly and structurally efficient system. The HSTSW system provides quick and easy interchangeability of the timber components, making it adjustable and adaptable to different design needs throughout the building's lifecycle. Additionally, the incorporation of timber elements into the steel frame contributes to lateral resistance while offering an eco-friendly alternative to materials such as steel and concrete. This research includes experimental studies and numerical simulations using finite element analysis to investigate and comprehensively compare the hysteresis behavior of HSTSW and SPSW. The hysteresis behavior, ultimate load, failure modes, energy dissipation mechanisms, ultimate displacement, weight-related characteristics, and efficiency of load-carrying capacity are analyzed for both HSTSW and SPSW specimens. Comparative results with SPSW indicate that HSTSW exhibit a slightly higher ultimate load-carrying capacity and significantly greater ultimate deformation capacity. The cyclic behavior and failure modes of both systems are detailed, emphasizing the trade-off between strength and ductility in HSTSWs. Stiffness, ductility, absorbed energy, and equivalent viscous damping ratio are assessed, revealing that HSTSW absorb more energy with higher specific absorbed energy and exhibit comparable damping behavior to SPSW. Additionally, numerical modeling is employed to simulate the response of SPSW and HSTSW, and a validation process is conducted to compare numerical and experimental outcomes.