Experimental studies of light-weight woodframe shear walls with ply-bamboo sheathing panels

In order to promote the application of bamboo materials in construction industry,this paper reports lateral loading test results of lightweight woodframe shear walls with ply-bamboo sheathing panels.ASTM E2126-09 was selected as the experimental guideline for the monotonic and cyclic tests of eight shear walls.Two types of shear walls were made using two different nails,51 mm long nail-gun driven nails and 51 mm long nail staples.The bearing capacity is 5.2 kN / m and 6.2 kN / m respectively.Shear walls keep its integrity and most of its bearing capacity when the lateral displacement is below 100 mm.Test results show that the application of ply-bamboo sheathing panel can satisfy the bearing capacity requirements of shear walls designed as structural elements,according to current codes for timber structures.