High Capacity Hybrid Frame-Wall Intended for Cold-formed Steel Construction

High-Capacity Hybrid Frame-Wall Intended for Cold-formed Steel Construction

 WSU Tech#: 23-1735

Technology Summary

This innovative hybrid frame-wall system integrates cold formed steel columns that support gravitational loads with a steel braced frame embedded within the wall plane to resist lateral forces. The frame uses concentric and eccentric connections between hollow structural steel chords and bracing elements, combined with semi-rigid connections to a concrete slab. Bracing incorporates cold formed steel straps and non-prestressed strands, delivering enhanced pushover response characterized by improved stiffness, load capacity, ductility, and defined failure mechanisms. Numerical modeling and parametric studies support optimized design and performance prediction.

Key Advantages

• Increases initial in-plane elastic stiffness from12.8% to 55.6%
• Enhances lateral load capacity from 44.3% to 190%
• Maintains comparable system ductility to existing strapped wall systems
• Utilizes cold formed steel for lightweight yet strong construction
• Publications provide guidance for how to characterize failure mode to ensure safe and reliable designs
• Design and analysis guidance includes refined numerical modeling protocols to facilitate engineering analysis and design optimization

Market Opportunities

• Cold formed steel residential and commercial building construction
• Seismic-resistant structural framing systems
• Prefabricated modular wall panels with enhanced lateral stability
• Retrofit solutions for improving existing steel frame walls
• Research and development in advanced structural systems and modeling tools

Stage of Development

Experimental Results

Patent Status

Pending

References & Publications

Rakici, S., Menkulasi, F. (2025). "Pushover Response Characterization and Prediction of a Novel Dual Performance High-Capacity Hybrid Frame-Wall ". Journal of Building Engineering. Volume 106, July 2025.

Rakici, S., Menkulasi, F. (2024). "Simplified Methods for Predicting the Pushover Response of a Hybrid Steel Braced Frame with Concentric and Eccentric Connections", ASCE Journal of Structural Engineering. Volume 150. No. 9.

Rakici, S., Menkulasi, F. (2025). "Effect of Irregular Perforation Patterns on Axial Load-Deformation Response of Cold-Formed Steel Columns in a Hybrid Frame-Wall". Engineering Structures. Volume 333, June 2025.