Quasi-Static Cyclic Testing of Two-Thirds Scale Unbonded Posttensioned Rocking Dissipative Timber Walls

Abstract

AbstractPosttensioning low-damage technologies were first developed in the late 1990s as the main outcome of the U.S. Precast Seismic Structural System (PRESSS) program coordinated by the University of California, San Diego, and culminated with the pseudo-dynamic test of a large-scale five-story test building. The extension of posttensioned techniques to timber elements led to the development of new structural systems, referred to as Pres-Lam (prestressed laminated timber). Pres-Lam systems consist of timber structural frames or walls made of laminated veneer lumber, glue laminated timber (Glulam), or cross-laminated timber (CLT). Pres-Lam walls consist of a rocking timber element with unbonded posttensioned tendons running through the length and attached to the foundation, which provides a centering force to the wall, while energy dissipation is supplied by either internal or external mild steel dissipaters. Previous tests carried out on posttensioned timber walls focused on small-scale (one-third) speci...