Cyclic Performance of Glued Laminated Guadua Bamboo-Sheathed Shear Walls: Fid-Bau Portal

Cyclic Performance of Glued Laminated Guadua Bamboo-Sheathed Shear Walls

Varela, Sebastian / Correal, Juan / Yamin, Luis / Ramirez, Fernando

Abstract

This paper presents a study aimed to determine the cyclic performance of wood-frame shear walls sheathed with glued laminated Guadua bamboo (GLG) panels as a first step to evaluate their potential application. GLG-sheathed walls having 2:1 and 1:1 aspect ratios and three different sheathing nail spacing were tested under cyclic conditions. Parameters, such as peak shear strength, shear modulus, displacement ductility demand, and energy dissipation of the walls, were examined. Values for peak shear strength were then compared with those of walls sheathed with wood or wood-based panels. The wall aspect ratio was found to be a parameter with lesser impact than nail spacing. It was also found that the reduction in nail spacing increases to some extent the strength, stiffness, and energy dissipation, but lowers the ductility of the wall. The peak cyclic shear strength of shear walls sheathed with GLG panels was found to be within the shear strength reported for wood or wood-based panels and the tested oriented strand board and plywood control specimens. Higher specific gravity of GLG panels compared with wood-based panels has a positive effect in avoiding tearing and pull-through failures of the panel and leads to higher energy dissipation of the wall. Based on test results, GLG panels could be a suitable structural replacement of wood or wood-based panels used in wood-frame construction.