Abstract: In order to know the seismic behavior,three 1 /5 scale specimens with the same shear span ratio 1. 5 but different ratio of height to sectional thickness of the steel-plate shear wall,which were 230,115 and 77 respectively,were tested under cyclic loading. Based on the experiment,the carrying capacity,stiffness, hysteresis characteristics, ductility, energy dissipation and damage characteristics of the specimens were analyzed. The mechanical model for calculating load-carrying capacity of the new style shear walls was proposed. And the calculating results agreed well with those from the experiments. It shows that the thinner steel-plate shear wall with higher ratio of height to sectional thickness has lower capacity,lower stiffness and better ductility,and vice versa. The load capacity and stiffness of the wall with moderate ratio of height to sectional thickness are in between of the thinner and the thicker walls. But the overall ability of its seismic energy dissipation is the best. It is suggested that the stronger concrete filled steel tube columns and weaker steel plate should be used in steel-plate shear walls in order to provide two earthquake fortification lines.