Seismic response and kinematic mechanisms of single-story pavilion-type timber frame based on shaking table test

Abstract

Traditional Chinese pavilion-type timber structures have withstood a number of strong earthquakes for thousands of years with low damage, while their sophisticated seismic mitigation and isolation mechanisms have not been clarified. In order to study their kinematic mechanisms under seismic excitation and to verify the relevant theoretical equations, shaking table tests were carried out on a simplified 1/16 scaled pavilion-type timber frame. The test results indicated that the column frame layer plays a key role in the seismic performance of the whole timber frame. The kinematic mechanism of the timber frame under seismic excitation was explored and revealed. The whole kinematic deformation process includes several typical motion states, such as rest, column rocking, coupled column rocking and column base sliding, pure column base sliding, column uplifting, coupled tension column uplifting and compression column base sliding. In addition, locking of mortise-tenon joints has a great effect on the motion states of the timber frame. Based on the experimental results, relevant discriminant equations for different motion states of the timber frame under seismic excitations were verified. Finally, a finite element model was developed to predict dynamic responses of the timber frame, with good agreement between the numerical and experimental results.