INVESTIGATING THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOUR OF MULTI-PANEL BALLON-TYPE CLT SHEARWALLS THROUGH FULL-SCALE TESTS

Balloon-type Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) shearwall systems have gained widespread application in modern construction due to their ability to reduce perpendicular-to-grain compression deformation and minimize vertical shrinkage compared with traditional platform-type shearwall constructions. However, despite the increasing adoption of balloon-type CLT shearwalls in construction practices, research on their mechanical performance remains limited, and existing timber design codes lack specific provisions and guidelines. This paper presents an experimental campaign aimed at investigating the structural performance of multi-panel balloon-type CLT shearwalls under lateral loading conditions. The study examines connection stiffness as the key influencing parameter and discusses the kinematic modes as well as structural resistance and lateral displacement. A comparison between experiments and numerical modelling analysis is also undertaken and discussed.