Experimental evaluation of an orthotropic, monolithic, modular wooden-dome structural system

Abstract

Canadian Wooden Dome (CWD) is an innovative orthotropic, monolithic modular sectional building system. The main frame of these structures is built using mill trim ends that are normally chipped or used for finger-jointing. The structure, in comparison to conventional wood-frame single-family housing, has a rapid manufacturing process, and quick, on-site assembly attempts to reduce overall construction time. Presented with these advantages and the uniqueness of the wooden-dome system, a technical study was initiated to investigate the structural performance of the modular wooden dome in earthquake-prone areas and to examine its load resistance to heavy snow. This paper describes the results from a series of static and dynamic load tests conducted on the CWD as part of this study. The test results generally indicated that based on the structural performance of the CWD under static and dynamic loads, the CWD could be an alternative to the conventional wood-frame construction system. The test results are then compared with those obtained from the tests conducted on conventional single-family wood-frame houses as part of the Earthquake 99 (EQ-99) Woodframe House Project at The University of British Columbia. The seismic performance of the CWD was superior to that of the nonengineered housing system and comparable to that of the engineered wood-frame housing system.