Experimental investigation of rate-of-loading effects on light wood frame connections and shear walls

This study investigates the influence of simulated seismic and wind loading rates on the performance of light wood frame connections and full-size shear walls. Monotonic and reversed-cyclic tests were conducted on sheathing-to-stud connections, hold-down connections, and light wood frame shear walls. For each configuration, density-matched specimens were tested under two loading rates: a regular rate producing failure within approximately 2–10 minutes, and a higher rate representative of seismic and wind demands, producing failure within 1–10 seconds. The results show that sheathing-to-stud connections and shear walls exhibit notable increases in peak resistance under the higher loading rate, with average increases ranging from 8% to 14%. In contrast, hold-down connections displayed no statistically significant differences between the two loading-rate conditions, and in some cases, slightly lower strengths were recorded at higher rates. The dominant failure mechanisms remained unchanged across loading rates. Based on the experimental findings, an adjustment to the duration-of-load (DOL) factor is recommended to better reflect the short-term strength of sheathing-to-stud connections and shear walls under seismic and wind loading conditions. • Monotonic and reversed-cyclic tests were performed to evaluate the performance of various light wood frame connections and full-size shear walls under different loading rates. • Simulated seismic and wind loading rates increased the peak resistance of sheathing-to-stud connections and full-size shear walls by 8%–14%. • A revised DOL factor of 1.25 is recommended to better reflect the short-term strength under seismic and wind loads.