The MIDPLY shear wall has been developed to be used as a structural system for severe earthquakes. This type of construction has emerged as a viable alternative to concrete and steel for non-residential buildings. The MIDPLY shear wall utilizes a novel arrangement of sheathing and framing members with a special nailing technique. The MIDPLY joints have a different failure mode from that which is observed in standard shear walls. The study reported in this thesis focuses on the response of the MIDPLY shear wall due to monotonic and cyclic tests; the response of an increase size in the cross-section members of the MIDPLY shear wall; and also the evaluation of the design and performance of hold-down connections at the boundary end studs of the MIDPLY shear wall. Previously tested MIDPLY shear walls showed that the boundary end stud hold-down connection is a very critical component in the performance of the MIDPLY shear wall. After a simplified analysis of 2 possible hold-down connections (see Fig. 7, 8, 9 and 10), hold-down connection #2 was selected as the most viable option since it had the ability to withstand large lateral forces. For non-residential buildings we expect a larger lateral force when compared to residential buildings. Therefore the cross-section of the members in the MIDPLY shear wall was increased and the number of boundary end studs was modified. These measures resulted in an increase in the lateral force capacity with the use of hold-down connection #2. The experimental results were used to verify an analytical model representing the MIDPLY shear wall in load-displacement characteristics. Recommendations and future research will also be discussed to show the way for further performance optimization of the wall system.

The MIDPLY shear wall has been developed to be used as a structural system for severe earthquakes. This type of construction has emerged as a viable alternative to concrete and steel for non-residential buildings. The MIDPLY shear wall utilizes a novel arrangement of sheathing and framing members with a special nailing technique. The MIDPLY joints have a different failure mode from that which is observed in standard shear walls. The study reported in this thesis focuses on the response of the MIDPLY shear wall due to monotonic and cyclic tests; the response of an increase size in the cross-section members of the MIDPLY shear wall; and also the evaluation of the design and performance of hold-down connections at the boundary end studs of the MIDPLY shear wall. Previously tested MIDPLY shear walls showed that the boundary end stud hold-down connection is a very critical component in the performance of the MIDPLY shear wall. After a simplified analysis of 2 possible hold-down connections (see Fig. 7, 8, 9 and 10), hold-down connection #2 was selected as the most viable option since it had the ability to withstand large lateral forces. For non-residential buildings we expect a larger lateral force when compared to residential buildings. Therefore the cross-section of the members in the MIDPLY shear wall was increased and the number of boundary end studs was modified. These measures resulted in an increase in the lateral force capacity with the use of hold-down connection #2. The experimental results were used to verify an analytical model representing the MIDPLY shear wall in load-displacement characteristics. Recommendations and future research will also be discussed to show the way for further performance optimization of the wall system.

The MIDPLY shear wall has been developed to be used as a structural system for severe earthquakes. This type of construction has emerged as a viable alternative to concrete and steel for non-residential buildings. The MIDPLY shear wall utilizes a novel arrangement of sheathing and framing members with a special nailing technique. The MIDPLY joints have a different failure mode from that which is observed in standard shear walls. The study reported in this thesis focuses on the response of the MIDPLY shear wall due to monotonic and cyclic tests; the response of an increase size in the cross-section members of the MIDPLY shear wall; and also the evaluation of the design and performance of hold-down connections at the boundary end studs of the MIDPLY shear wall. Previously tested MIDPLY shear walls showed that the boundary end stud hold-down connection is a very critical component in the performance of the MIDPLY shear wall. After a simplified analysis of 2 possible hold-down connections (see Fig. 7, 8, 9 and 10), hold-down connection #2 was selected as the most viable option since it had the ability to withstand large lateral forces. For non-residential buildings we expect a larger lateral force when compared to residential buildings. Therefore the cross-section of the members in the MIDPLY shear wall was increased and the number of boundary end studs was modified. These measures resulted in an increase in the lateral force capacity with the use of hold-down connection #2. The experimental results were used to verify an analytical model representing the MIDPLY shear wall in load-displacement characteristics. Recommendations and future research will also be discussed to show the way for further performance optimization of the wall system. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Civil Engineering, Department of / Graduate