Cyclic testing and modeling of CLT rocking walls with modular base connections and LSL wall toes

In this study, pseudo-static cyclic tests were conducted on six self-centering cross-laminated timber (SC-CLT) walls with modular base connections. Two of the walls also had reinforced wall toes using laminated strand lumber to prevent wall toe damage during large displacement cycles. The testing independent variables were the wall aspect ratio and self-centering ratio, as past studies had identified those parameters as having the largest impact on behavior. The wall aspect ratios used were 2.4 and 3.5, while the self-centering ratio varied between 0.4 and 0.8. The test wall height was 3.66 m to approximately replicate the first floor of a 2 to 4 story building. Friction dampers were integrated into the modular base connections to provide supplemental damping and keep fabrication simple. A set of equations and a nonlinear modeling procedure were derived for predicting the wall behavior. The numerical equations and nonlinear model were validated against the experimental results. These equations and models could facilitate design of modular SC-CLT walls and time-history analysis. •Experimental study of 3.66 m tall post-tensioned CLT rocking walls with modular connections.•Laminated strand lumber (LSL) toe reinforcement to mitigate wall toe damage from rocking.•Validation of analytical model for design that captures the pushover curve of the system.•Development and validation of an efficient nonlinear numerical model in OpenSeesPy.