Evaluation of behavior of semi-supported steel plate shear walls with opening

In the semi-supported steel shear walls (SSSW), instead of connecting the wall plate to the main columns of building frame as traditional type, it is connected to the secondary columns that used solely for tension field in the plate. The SSSW cause to reduce designed cross-section of the main columns and thus it will be more economic design. To prove desirable performance of SSSW system, several experiments and numerical studies have been carried out. In addition, the effect of openings on SSSW as a new system of steel shear walls should be evaluated. In fact, by creating openings in the system, its geometry would change and the change cause to alter the strength, ductility and energy absorption of system. To achieve this goal, the load-displacement curve of system should be obtained and evaluated. By the curve, the strength, ductility and energy absorption of system (area under the curve) will be evaluated.