An experimental investigation of a wall-to-floor connector for self-centering walls

Abstract

Previous research has shown that self-centering walls have excellent seismic performance. However, as uplift and rocking occur at the base of a self-centering wall, the floors would have to accommodate this uplift if they are rigidly connected to the wall. Consequently, the floors may be subjected to inelastic demands and associated damage, which can adversely affect the seismic response of the building. A series of experimental tests were conducted to investigate a new wall-to-floor connector that can isolate the floor from the wall’s relative uplift and rotation while transferring inertia forces from the floor to the wall. Individual connectors were subjected to pseudo-static cyclic tension or shear loading. Multiple connectors were utilised in a subassembly test that comprised of a third scale prototype wall and representative floor. The test results showed the connectors had satisfactory shear and tensile force-displacement behaviour. The connector elastically resisted forces greater than the suggested design strength resulting in a lateral deformation less than 2 mm at the suggested design strength. Based on the subassembly tests conducted so far the connectors were able to fully isolate the floor if the uplift at the connector location is limited to 25 mm. The connectors transferred lateral force from floor to wall for all loading and unloading cycles during testing.