Influence of the design approach on the behaviour of timber-frame panel buildings under horizontal forces

Abstract

Behaviour of the timber-frame panel buildings under the horizontal forces is largely dependent on the type of the chosen design approach. The distribution of the horizontal forces along the timber-framed wall elements is thus influenced by the stiffness of the diaphragm, the stiffness of the wall elements and their connection with one another. However, there is a dilemma whether all the contributions that have an effect on the stiffness of the timber-framed walls are taken into account or not. The factors that influence the stiffness of the wall are the hold-down anchoring, the influence of the walls with openings and the timber-glass wall elements and the influence of the vertical loads. This paper numerically analyses the behaviour of the three-storey timber-frame panel building under the horizontal forces, using different design approaches. The basic approaches are upgraded by including different contributions to the stiffness of the timber-framed walls. Using different design approaches, a comparison of the horizontal force distribution among the walls, vibration periods and horizontal deformations of the building is being made. The results show that the design approach used has a great influence on the distribution of horizontal forces along the walls and the horizontal deformation of the building itself. Taking into account full-height timber-framed walls only, the horizontal deformations of the building could be underestimated.