Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Number and Configuration of Openings in Gypsum Boards on the Seismic Performance of Cold-Formed Steel Frames

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Ehsan Haji Soltani 1
Mohammad Reza Javaheri Tafti 2
Hamid Reza Ronagh 3
1 Department of Civil Engineering, , Taft.Faculty of Islamic Azad University, Taft, Iran
2 Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Taft Branch, Yazd, Iran
3 Professor, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of New South Wales
10.48311/mcej.2025.116505.1001
Abstract
.This study investigates the structural performance of cold-formed steel (CFS) frames sheathed with gypsum board, with particular emphasis on the influence of the number, size, and configuration of openings. Two distinct full-scale CFS frame specimens, each measuring 2400 × 2400 mm and sheathed on one side with gypsum board, were designed and fabricated. Cyclic lateral loading tests were performed on each frame type in triplicate to ensure repeatability and reliability of the experimental data. The tests were conducted at the Structural and Earthquake Engineering Laboratory of the Islamic Azad University, Taft Branch, using a servo-controlled hydraulic actuator. The experimental results demonstrated that increasing the number of smaller openings, as opposed to a single large central opening, enhanced the overall cyclic performance of the frames. Furthermore, symmetrical arrangements of openings promoted uniform deformation patterns and mitigated stress concentration. These findings provide valuable insights for the design and optimization of non-structural diaphragms with openings in CFS systems
Keywords
Cold-Formed Steel Frame'
' Gypsum Board'
' Wall Opening'
' Seismic Performance'
' Cyclic Loading
Subjects
Modares Civil Engineering Journal
Volume 26, Issue 4 - Serial Number 90
September and October 2026
Pages 7-18