Shear rigidity of sheathed walls with pneumatically driven pin connections

The purpose of this experimental and analytical study was to observe the structural behavior of wall panels constructed with cold-formed steel framing members and sheathing fastened with pneumatically driven pins subject to transverse load as typically occurs in residential construction, This study included the key parameters that influence the connection strength: steel thickness (16-, 18- and 20-gauge steel), sheathing thickness (1/2'' (1.27-cm) Unipan and 1/2'' (1.27cm) Dens-Glass Gold). The shear design values given in the AISI design specifications (2001) for structural members braced by diaphragms are compared and reviewed with results obtained from a series of static load tests. The findings of this pilot study were used to define future research needed to establish design methodologies for residential shear wall construction. Because this was a pilot study no new design equations or recommendations were developed.