Axial compression performance analysis of bolt-connected steel plate and CLT composite shear wall

Steel plate shear walls are widely utilized due to their excellent seismic performance and adaptability; however, they face limitations, including high self-weight and the tendency of thin plate components to undergo buckling. This study proposes a novel bolted steel-plate-clamped CLT (cross-laminated timber) composite shear wall system. Axial compression tests on three specimens, combined with finite element analysis, were performed to investigate the influence of bolt arrangement, steel and side plate configuration, wall aspect ratio, and bolt spacing on load-bearing performance and failure modes. The results indicate that under axial compression, the steel-plate–CLT composite shear wall primarily fails due to instability. Although bolt layout and spacing significantly influence stiffness, their impact on load-bearing capacity is comparatively minor. A higher aspect ratio reduces load-bearing efficiency, whereas the incorporation of the steel plate–bolt system significantly improves both the load-bearing capacity and stiffness. Notably, the simultaneous addition of steel clamp plates and side plates leads to increases in load-bearing capacity and stiffness by factors of 1.47 and 2.47, respectively. Using the stability coefficient derived from CLT theory, the ultimate load capacity is calculated through a traditional superposition method, yielding an average error of 8.97% and a standard deviation of 2.45%. These findings provide a theoretical basis and technical guidance for the design and engineering application of steel plate–CLT composite shear walls, facilitating their broader adoption in engineering practice.