LAUSR

Abstract Inadequate seismic performance of nonstructural components, specially cladding systems and exterior nonstructural walls, caused a lot of human loss and damages in the past earthquakes. This problem is intensified if interaction between cladding, external wall and structural frame is disregarded in design. In-plane and out-of-plane behavior of the external wall, different details for connecting the cladding to the exterior supporting wall and connection between supporting walls and structural frame, were evaluated in this study through a shaking table test performed on a full scale 3D building. Results showed that separating the walls from structural element at in-plane direction reduce the in-plane displacement of the walls and their damage in the earthquakes. Results also showed that using proper connection details for the top and edges of the walls decrease the out-of-plane deformation of the walls. In addition, adopting safe connections for installing the tiles on the walls improve the overall behavior of the cladding system. Analysis of experimental results also showed that the wall-frame connections have an important role in structural frequencies and overall seismic structural response.