RESEARCH ARTICLE In‐plane quasi‐static cyclic tests of nonstructural lightweight steel drywall partitions for seismic performance evaluation Tatiana Pali | Vincenzo Macillo | Maria Teresa Terracciano | Bianca Bucciero | Luigi Fiorino | Raffaele Landolfo Department of Structures for Engineering and Architecture, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy Correspondence Luigi Fiorino, Department of Structures for Engineering and Architecture, University of Naples "Federico II," P.le V. Tecchio 80, 7th floor, 80125 Naples, Italy. Email: lfiorino@unina.it Funding information Knauf Gips KG Summary An experimental program was performed for evaluating the seismic response and fragilities of nonstructural lightweight steel drywall partitions, also consid- ering the interaction with structural elements and other nonstructural building components, ie, outdoor façade walls. Therefore, in‐plane quasi‐static reversed cyclic tests were carried out on 8 specimens of indoor partition walls infilled in a frame and on 4 specimens of indoor partition walls connected at its ends with transversal outdoor façade walls. Constructive parameters under investi- gation include type of connections used for connecting the indoor partition walls to the surrounding elements, stud spacing, type of sheathing panels, and type of jointing finishing. The effect of the constructive parameters on the lateral response in secant stiffness and strength is examined. Furthermore, the main damage phenomena observed during the tests are reported and asso- ciated to 3 damage limit states distinguished for the required repair level for the tested partition walls. Fragility curves are used for the experimental assess- ment of seismic fragility of the tested specimens, in accordance with the interstorey drift limits required by the European code. Finally, the quantitative estimation of the repair action costs starting from the damage observation is also developed. The obtained results could be considered a starting point for developing the in‐plane seismic design assisted by testing of lightweight steel drywall partition walls. KEYWORDS in‐plane cyclic tests, lightweight steel structures, nonstructural components, partition walls, seismic response 1 | INTRODUCTION Recent earthquakes caused significant damage to nonstructural building components by highlighting the low fragility and importance of these constructive systems within structural design, both for the safety of occupants and the manage- ment of economic losses related to damages and business interruption of the affected buildings. The importance of a rational concept of nonstructural building components is also recognized in the development of the modern seismic Received: 2 October 2017 Revised: 29 January 2018 Accepted: 31 January 2018 DOI: 10.1002/eqe.3031 1566 Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Earthquake Engng Struct Dyn. 2018;47:1566–1588. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/eqe