Finite Element Analysis of Wood-Stud Walls

A theoretical procedure based on the finite element model and linear step-by-step analysis for evaluating the behavior of wood-stud walls under combined bending and compression loads was developed and verified. The procedure accounts for the variations in material properties, nonlinear material behavior of studs, partial composite action and slip among the components, and the load sharing among the studs of various strengths and stiffnesses. I-beam wall sections and full-size walls are tested to verify the procedure. Theoretical and experimental deflections and slips at service loads and overloads, and the ultimate load of the tested wall panels showed good agreement. Parameter study investigating the effect of the joint and wall covering stiffness on the ultimate load is included. The developed procedure can be used to obtain the information necessary for improved structural and economic design of wood-stud walls for residential and commercial buildings.