Effect of architectural non-structural components on lateral behaviour of CFS structures: Shake-table tests and numerical modelling

This paper illustrates the effect of architectural non-structural components on the variation of dynamic properties and lateral seismic behaviour of Cold-Formed steel (CFS) buildings, using shake-table tests and numerical modelling. The seismic behaviour of a two-storey gypsum-sheathed building was investigated as a part of European project ELISSA. Shake-table tests were carried-out on this building under two different configurations: with and without architectural non-structural components. Dynamic properties, such as fundamental period and damping ratio, of both building configurations were evaluated and compared. Numerical models considering all the architectural non-structural components were developed in Opensees environment. Results highlight the importance of considering the contribution of architectural non-structural components, such as finishing materials of shear and gravity walls, partition walls and internal counter walls, in the process of structural analysis and modelling of CFS buildings.