Experimental research on special steel frame with stiffened double steel plate shear wall

Based on the idea of earthquake-resilience, this paper proposes a new special steel frame with stiffened double steel plate shear wall (SSF-SDSPSW). Compared with traditional steel frame, the special steel frame (SSF) adopts the link beams to dissipate energy and protect columns and beams during earthquake. Therefore, the function of SSF-SDSPSW can be repaired by replacing damaged local parts after earthquake. In addition, stiffened double steel plate shear wall (SDSPSW) has good seismic behavior and fast construction speed. To study the seismic behavior and repairable function of SSF-SDSPSW, one basic specimen and two repaired specimens were subjected to the low-cycle reciprocating loading test and ultimate state loading test in this paper. The experiment results indicated that the buckling of steel faceplates and overall instability of the SDSPSW were main failure modes of the SDSPSW. The SDSPSW cooperated well with the special steel frame. The main members such as frame columns and beams of basic specimen remained elastic basically during loading. The peak load of repaired specimen was higher than 87% of basic specimen, which proved the feasibility of post-earthquake repairability. The displacement ductility coefficient of the SSF-SDSPSW was larger than 3.67, indicating the structure had good deformation performance. The error of peak loads between finite element analysis and experiment was only 3.2%, demonstrating that the finite element analysis can predict the peak load precisely. In addition, parameters analysis indicated that the rational relationship between link beams, SDSPSW and columns were conducive to the damage control of SSF-SDSPSW. • A new special steel frame with stiffened double steel plate shear wall was proposed. • Three specimens were subjected to the low-cycle reciprocating loading test. • Seismic performance and post-earthquake reparability of the structure were studied. • The proposed structure had two seismic defense line, suitable for earthquake area. • Finite element analysis can predict the peak load of SSF-SDSPSW precisely.