In‐plane quasi‐static tests for the evaluation of seismic demand on Power Actuated Fasteners (PAF)

Recent research showed that the damage in non‐structural components significantly affects the seismic behaviour of structures, indeed it is crucial to evaluate the seismic behaviour of non‐structural components. For this purpose, the University of Naples “Federico II” started a cooperation with the Hilti Corporation, to evaluate the seismic demand on fasteners connecting drywalls to supporting elements. In particular, the seismic displacement demand on Power Actuated Fasteners (PAF) was obtained through quasi‐static in‐plane cyclic tests on full‐scale drywall partitions.

Test specimens consisted of 2285 mm long and 2600 mm high partition walls and in total seven tests were carried‐out at the Lab of the Department of Structures for Engineering and Architecture. A specific test set‐up was developed for the experimental tests and the optimal instrumentation layout was studied to allow to capture the significant measurements on PAFs. A FEMA 461 protocol was employed for all the tests.

The paper summarizes the experimental program, describing wall configurations, test set‐up, loading protocol and instrumentation layout. A special focus is dedicated to the comments of experimental results.