Full-scale testing of seismically enhanced planar partition walls

To investigate the seismic performance of enhanced nonstructural partition walls, twenty test specimens, consisting of sixteen wood framed walls and four light gage steel framed walls, were constructed and tested. The specimens are representative of partition and exterior walls in residential construction, constructed to increase the stiffness, strength and damage resistance of the structure during earthquake-type cyclic loading. The test variables of the test series included construction adhesive between the frame and sheathing, uplift tie-down details, orthogonal end returns, framing material, sheathing type, openings, and wall length. The walls were loaded using a modified CUREE test protocol.