LAUSR

Abstract This paper studies the seismic performance of composite shear walls with concrete-filled square steel-tube boundary element and innovative shear connections. Eight specimens were investigated by reversed cyclic load tests. The test parameters were the type of the shear connections, the arrangement of a steel beam in the middle of wall body, the concrete strength and the axial compressive load ratio. The failure mode, hysteretic behaviour, ductility, stiffness and strength degradation, energy dissipation capacity and strains development were studied. The test results show that the hysteresis curves of the composite shear walls were plumper compared with traditional concrete shear walls. Composite shear walls with concrete-filled square steel-tube boundary element have good seismic performance. The strong shear connections had a considerable effect on the seismic performance of this composite shear walls. There was no considerable difference in the effect on seismic performance for the arrangement of a steel beam in the middle of wall body. Finally, the restoring force model for composite walls with concrete-filled square steel-tube boundary element was developed with adequate accuracy.