Numerical and analytical research of CLT shear wall structures considering the influence of orthogonal wall connections

The objective of the research was to explore the influence of the orthogonal wall connections (OWC) on the response of platform-type cross-laminated timber (CLT) shear wall structures through analytical and numerical approaches. A comparative study of analytical stiffness models for a perpendicular wall system, i.e., perpendicularly connected CLT shear walls, was carried out, to numerically quantify the contribution of the OWC stiffness to the global lateral stiffness. Subsequently, parametric analyses were conducted on a two-story CLT building with varying OWC strengths/stiffness subjected to cyclic loading. Improved lateral resistance in two orthogonal directions of the building was observed by increasing the OWC strength/stiffness. Furthermore, buildings with moderate OWC strength/stiffness exhibited favorable ductility.