Loading protocols for seismic qualification of steel plate shear walls

As a new type of lateral force resisting member, steel plate shear walls (SPSWs) have the advantages of excellent energy dissipation, high lateral stiffness, and ductility. Owing to the lack of loading characteristics of an actual earthquake in the existing loading protocol of SPSWs, the interpretation of the seismic performance of SPSWs is still challenging. A set of standardized loading protocols for SPSWs under far-field and near-fault earthquakes were proposed, to replicate the real loading histories in severe earthquakes. By using the rainflow counting method, the seismic parameters (such as damage cycle, interstory drift range, and residual interstory drift) from four frame-SPSW structures subjected to a series of representative ground motions, were analyzed to develop the loading protocols. Moreover, the rationality of the proposed loading protocols was discussed and verified by demonstrating the cumulative distribution function and energy dissipation of these protocols. It is well illustrated that the proposed protocols can truly simulate the loading history of members and accurately reflect the seismic damage demands in the inelastic stage.