Abstract
The paper proposes an innovative method of analyzing the seismic fragility of ancient timber architecture. The method is based on the Copulas, in which correlation between different failure modes is considered. This method is applied to assess the vulnerability of ancient timber architecture in Ming dynasty. The assessment includes four steps. In the first step, the incremental dynamic analysis is employed to establish seismic vulnerability curves of different failure modes for the structure. After that, Copula joint distribution function is used to analyze the correlation among different failure modes. In the third step, fragility curves considering correlation among different failure modes are established. In the last step, the fragility curves are compared with those obtained by first-order bound method. The results show that seismic vulnerability of ancient timber architecture based on the Copulas is greater than that of any single failure modes. Moreover, the occurrence probability ranges between the upper and lower boundaries of the first-order bound method, but is close to the lower boundary.
Highlights
Many buildings of ancient timber architecture are listed as cultural heritage sites for their historical, artistic, and cultural value
The results show that seismic vulnerability of ancient timber architecture based on the Copulas is greater than that of any single failure modes
Ahmad et al [10] analyzed the vulnerability of three traditional timber-frame masonry structures, and the results showed that this kind of structure was suitable in the limit of peak ground acceleration (PGA) < 0.7 g
Summary
Many buildings of ancient timber architecture are listed as cultural heritage sites for their historical, artistic, and cultural value. Faye et al [9] established seismic fragility curves of a traditional timberframe wall by nonlinear spectrum analysis, and it showed the wall had a good mechanical property. Interstory drift ratio of building is usually selected as the only seismic demand parameter to build seismic fragility curves Under this situation, this method could examine only one failure mode. Given the complex structure and mechanical properties [11], ancient timber architecture could have more than one failure model. In the seismic vulnerability analysis, effects caused by correlation among different failure modes on structure vulnerability need to be considered. A vulnerability analysis model of Chinese traditional timber architecture is built. The model is applied to evaluate the vulnerability of Chinese ancient timber architecture, so as to provide a reference for practical engineering
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
