Numerical modelling strategy and load resisting mechanism of palace-type traditional wooden frame

Abstract

This paper is aimed at proposing the numerical modeling strategy of the palace-style traditional wooden frame in Chinese Song dynasty and revealing its load resisting mechanism. Firstly, the restoring moments of the column foot (CF) and column head (CH) of free-standing column are formulated, the proposed model of the frame with CF and CH is validated by the corresponding solid element models. Then, the mechanical behavior of the dowel at the CH is formulated based its deformation characteristics, and the proposed model of the frame with CF, CH and dowel is also validated by its solid element model. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed model of the whole frame with CF, CH, dowel and dovetail mortise-tenon (DMT) joint is confirmed by the corresponding experimental and solid element models. The results show that difference of mechanical performance of the CF with compressive deformation parallel-to-grain and CH with compressive deformation perpendicular-to-grain is minor, the bending behavior of the dowel in the frame without lower beam has been changed into the shearing behavior of the dowel in the frame with lower beam. The rotational behaviors of the DMT at the two ends of the beam are different when the frame is lateral deformed, and the proportion of the lateral resistance provided by the column and DMT is more and less than 60 % and 30 %. And the upper beam of the wooden frame significantly increases its lateral resistance.