Seismic evaluation of a traditional Chinese palace-style timber structure

Abstract

To assess the seismic performance of a traditional Chinese palace-style timber structure, an extended discrete element method (EDEM) model has been established. The model has been applied to analyze a single-story and five-bay timber-frame palace architecture, where sliding isolation of the column foot, semi-rigid connections of mortise and tenon joints, and damping characteristics of bracket sets (known as Dougong in Chinese) have been considered. The study investigates the dynamic characteristics, seismic responses, and structural vulnerabilities of the palace building. Results show that an error of the natural frequency between the EDEM model and results from code-recommended empirical formulas is only 6.88%, highlighting the rationality of the EDEM model. Furthermore, the relative displacement response of each position increases with the increment of inputting acceleration of seismic waves. The inter-structural layer drift of the column-beam frame is the largest and that of the roof truss is smaller, while Dougongs are the smallest. The likelihood of moderate damage is highest during a small earthquake, while the structure is prone to severe damage under a medium earthquake, The structure is susceptible to collapse under a large earthquake.