Seismic performance of glulam timber post and beam structures with and without light frame timber shear wall infill

Abstract

Timber post and beam structure is typical frame construction with a simple structural system and clear force transmission path. This work studies the seismic performance of glued-laminated timber (glulam) post and beam structures under cyclic loading, as well as the effect of light frame timber shear walls on their seismic performance. Experimental investigation on two types of full-scale glulam post and beam structures was carried out to compare the failure modes, mechanical properties, and energy dissipation. According to the test results, simplified models whose nonlinearity was assumed to be concentrated plasticity in the springs were developed. The comparison between test data and model prediction has a good agreement in terms of evaluation from backbone curves and strength degradation ratio. This calibrated model was then adopted as a benchmark model for further parametric analysis. Eight different configurations considering various aspect ratios were modeled to assess the influence of elastic stiffness and the maximum load-carrying capacity using the pushover analysis. The test investigation and numerical analysis of the glulam post and beam structures with and without light frame timber shear walls help comprehensively understand the seismic performance, providing some valuable guidance for further studies and structural design in engineering practice.