Effect of column foot tenon on behavior of larch column base joints based on concrete plinth

Abstract

The wooden columns in timber structures of ancient buildings have column foot tenons of various sizes. The main reason for these differences is their use for different roof loads. Six full-scale specimens with different sizes of column foot tenon were designed and manufactured. The tree species used for the specimens was larch. The quasi-static test was conducted on the specimens that were used in timber structures of ancient buildings. The effects of column foot tenon size on the mechanical properties of larch wooden columns were studied. The moment-rotational angle hysteretic curves, moment-rotational angle skeleton curves, ductility, stiffness degradation, energy dissipation capacity, slippages between the wooden column and the plinth, and the damage of the column foot tenons were examined. The test results showed that the column foot tenon played an important role in the mechanical behavior of the wooden column under low-cycle reversed cyclic loading. The rotation of the column foot tenon improved the energy dissipation capacity of the wooden column. As the rotational angle of the column base increased, the column foot tenon had different degrees of damage. Different sizes of column foot tenon had their own advantages and hysteretic behavior.