Experimental investigation of lateral resisting elements for the wood polyvinyl chloride composite log‐house under in‐plane lateral loads

Abstract

AbstractThis study applied WPVC composite materials as log elements and investigated the lateral load resistance capability using two first log–foundation connections (LS‐SST and LF‐AB) and two corner joints (CJ‐SN and CJ‐SHL) subjected to monotonic and cyclic loads via an experimental approach. The obtained results indicated that the load resisting behavior of the connections was different, although the load bearing area of the connections was similar. The LF‐SST connections experienced a brittle failure, while LF‐AB showed a ductile failure. The premature failure occurred at the hollow web section of orthogonal log elements for both corner joints. The presence of a metal fastener directly affected the lateral load resisting behavior of the connection, especially under cyclic loading. The equivalent energy elastic plastic (EEEP) and hysteretic parameters were determined, indicating that LF‐AB provided 1.8 times of ductility ratio and 35.4% of hysteretic energy higher than LF‐SST, and that CJ‐SHL had 3.1 and 2.8 times of monotonic and cyclic stiffnesses higher than CJ‐SN. In comparing the experimental results with timber log elements, the hollow section of the WPVC composite log element had a negligible effect on load resisting behavior; however, it significantly affected the load resisting capacity, stiffness, damping, and premature failure. The experimental data and the proposed parameters will be useful for the further design of WPVC composite log houses.