Parametric modeling of timber light-frame shear walls using OpenSEES: preliminary results

This contribution illustrates the main features of an original parametric Finite Element (FE) model developed using OpenSEES in order to study the response of timber light-frame shear walls under earthquake. Within the proposed FE model, the framing system and the sheathing panel are modeled as elastic elements while the connections are simulated through zero-length non-linear elements. In particular, it is assumed that the overall nonlinear seismic response of the wall rests on the cyclic behavior of the connections. The presence of openings has been taken into account, as well as the use of more than one panel to brace the wood frame in case of walls with low aspect ratios. An exemplification numerical analysis is proposed at the end.