Experimental Study on Lateral Resistance of Glued laminated Timber Post and Beam Systems

Abstract:

In order to study the lateral resistance of glued laminated timber post and beam structures, two monotonic tests and eight cyclic tests on full scale one storey, one bay timber post and beam construction specimens were carried out, considering four lateral strengthened structure systems: frame with X brace, frame with K brace, frame with knee brace and frame filled with light wood shear walls. Seismic performances were evaluated according to the experimental phenomena, hysteresis curves, envelope curves, curves of stiffness degradation, curves of strength degradation and curves of energy dissipation. Results show that frame with X brace system and frame with K brace system provide much better in the elastic stiffness, but low ductility. Frame with knee brace system has increased in the elastic stiffness in comparison with the pure post and beam frame system, and provides higher ductility in comparison with the frame with X brace system and frame with K brace system. Meanwhile, frame filled with light wood shear walls system performs desired elastic stiffness and ductility. Finally, improvement measures were presented based on weak parts of each structure system.

Key words:glued laminated timber; timber post and beam systems; cyclic loading test; failure mode; seismic performance