Study on the seismic performance of cold-formed thin-walled steel frame with K-shaped braced shear panel

This study investigates the seismic behavior of an innovative cold-formed thin-walled (CFTW) steel frame with a K-shaped braced shear panel (BSPK). This new structural system is expected to improve the energy dissipation capacity of traditional CFTW steel structures. Eight full-scale one-story one-bay CFTW steel frames with BSPKs (CFTW-BSPKs) were subjected to lateral cyclic loads to examine the influence of the shear panel width-to-thickness ratio, aspect ratio, stiffening ribs, and slotted holes. The damage evolution, yield sequence, hysteresis curve, skeleton curve, load-carrying capacity, ductility, energy dissipation capacity, and stiffness degradation were analyzed. The test results demonstrated that all specimens exhibited stable hysteretic performance as well as a high load-carrying capacity. The seismic behavior consisting of energy dissipation and load-carrying capacity can be improved by increasing the shear panel width-to-thickness ratio or decreasing the aspect ratio. The stiffening ribs can significantly improve the load-carrying capacity and stiffness degradation of the specimens, while the slotted holes have a negative effect on the seismic behavior of the specimen.