Timber Frame Research Articles

Out-of-plane behavior of masonry infilled Chuan-dou timber frames

The masonry infilled Chuan-dou timber frame is a traditional structural system widely used for non-engineered residential buildings in southwestern areas of China, where earthquakes are common. And the masonry is prone to out of plane (OOP) collapse due to the lack of an effective connection between the timber frame and the masonry. This paper discusses the OOP seismic performance of masonry infilled wall Chuan-dou timber frame. Considering the slenderness ratio and the compressive strength of mortar, three full-scale single-story specimens were subjected to airbag loading to investigate the out-of-plane seismic behavior of the structural systems. Two typical failure modes of the structural systems including one-way bending and shearing slip were observed in the study. The results indicated that the slenderness ratio of the infilled masonry was inversely proportional to the bearing capacity of the structural systems. The columns have a limited effect on the constraint of infill wall while the beam can prevent the wall from falling out of the frames. And the OOP seismic behavior of the infill wall can be improved by strengthening the connection between the infilled wall and the frame. At the same time, the formulas for peak OOP load are presented based on a two-hinged arching/rocking pier mechanism.

Seismic performance of light wood shear wall infilled timber frame structures with openings

To study the seismic performance of wood frame structures filled with light wood shear walls, three full-size single-layer single span wooden frame structures with infill walls were designed and manufactured. The beams and columns were connected by mortise-tenon joints, and quasi-static tests were conducted on the specimens under reversed cyclic load. The failure modes and load-displacement hysteresis performance of structures with door opening infill wall, window opening infill wall, and solid infill wall were investigated. The seismic performance was analyzed using indicators such as strength, ductility, and equivalent viscous damping ratio. The failure modes of light wood frame filling walls were the tearing of sheathing panel and the failure of nail connections. The filled wall with the opening initially exhibited inclined cracks at the corner of the opening, and then they extended to the periphery. Compared with the solid filled wall, the positive and negative bearing capacity of the structure with door opening decreased, and that of the structure with window opening decreased also. Because the specimens with opening in the filled wall were more conducive to the deformation of the structure when the bearing capacity was not significantly reduced, the ductility of the specimen with door opening was the highest.

LOAD-BEARING TIMBER DSF ELEMENTS INFLUENCE ON RACKING STABILITY OF MULTI-STOREY PREFABRICATED TIMBER BUILDINGS

Application of double-skin façade (DSF) elements is an important approach in a designing process of contemporary multi-storey timber buildings. A double-skin facade is an envelope wall element that consists of two glass components separated by a cavity and can essentially improve building-physics properties of building envelope. In a sense to reduce global warming potential (GWP) an ecological solution with a timber frame is presented in this paper. Recently, many studies have analyzed thermal and acoustic performance of DSF elements, but practically none in a sense of structural behavior, especially in determination of racking resistance of such wall elements. Because costs of experiments performed on such full-scale DSF elements are very high and such experiments are also very time-consuming, a special mathematical model using a Finite Element Method (FEM) for analyzing the racking resistance and stiffness was further developed. Finally, a specially selected four-storey timber-framed building is subjected to a seismic analysis comparing the influence of the developed timber DSF elements on the overall racking behavior of that structure with non-resisting DSF function. It is demonstrated in the presented study on the selected case that the racking resistance (R) and a consequent seismic resistance of a whole building can be essentially improved if DSF elements are considered as lateral load-bearing wall elements. Consequently, such an approach by using DSF elements as additional bracing wall elements can essentially further increase a potential of designing also high-rise timber buildings with asymmetric position of transparent areas.

A Wooden Pin Reinforcement of Ancient Chinese Wooden Temple: A Case of Daxiong Hall

Post and lintel frame is a prominent architectural structure in Chinese temple architecture, characterized by its wooden construction. Mortise–tenon joints (MTJs) serve as the primary connection method for these wooden structures, employing straight mortise nodes (SMNs) and through-mortise joints (TMNs). This study presents a method that utilizes wooden pins to reinforce MTJs, enhancing the seismic performance of timber frame structures. Finite element (FE) simulation verifies the effectiveness of wooden pins in reinforcing both SMNs and TMNs, leading to improved load-bearing capacity and ductility of the MTJs. Additionally, the study confirms that reinforced nodes help to restrict the displacement changes within the wooden frame. The paper also investigates the optimal distribution of MTJs reinforced by the wooden pins throughout the structure, with the aim of enhancing the wood frame’s seismic performance. The results show the bearing capacity of MJT reinforced with wooden pins is approximately 11.3% higher compared to that of MTJ without reinforcement. The reinforcement of wood pins effectively controls the horizontal displacement of the overall structure of the wooden frame, which is reduced by about 50%–62% compared with the unreinforced wooden frame. The locating the wooden pin-reinforced MTJs in the outer columns and middle layer columns reduces the structural displacement, which is 31.53% in X direction, 5% in Y direction, and 25.86% in Z direction.

Experimental Study on Wooden Pin Reinforcement of the Typical Mortise-Tenon Joints of Ancient Timber Frames

ABSTRACT The ancient timber frames is the precious architectural heritage of China. The seismic performance of mortise tenon joints (MTJ) directly affects the seismic performance of the ancient timber frames. This study presents a method that utilizes wooden pins to reinforce MTJs, enhancing the seismic performance of timber frame structures. The quasi-static test and finite element model were carried out to study the mechanical properties of the MTJ reinforced by the wood pins. From the failure state of the MTJs, it is found that the main deformation is the slip deformation between mortise and tenon. The mutual friction between the mortise and the tenon has a certain energy dissipation and shock absorption effect. The deformation state, stress distribution, stiffness degradation curve, etc. of the MTJ were obtained by finite element model of the MTJ. Additionally, the study confirms that reinforced MTJ can help restrict displacement changes within the wooden frame. The results show the bearing capacity of MJT reinforced with wooden pins is approximately 11.3% higher compared to that of MTJ without reinforcement. The reinforcement of wood pins effectively controls the horizontal displacement of the wooden frame, which is reduced by about 50%–62% compared with the unreinforced wooden frame. The locating the wooden pin-reinforced MTJs in the outer columns and middle layer columns reduces structural displacement, which is 31.53% in X derection, 5% in Y derection, 25.86% in Z derection.

Implementation of Building Information Modeling Technologies in Wood Construction: A Review of the State of the Art from a Multidisciplinary Approach

This research raises questions about the possibilities and options of using the BIM methodology associated with software for the wood design and construction of structure modeling along an asset’s cycle life. Likewise, several academic and research initiatives are reviewed. In this sense, this paper aims to establish an appropriate link between two agendas that the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, academia, and governments normally handle separately. By conducting several literature reviews (book, journals, and congresses) and extensive software tests (BIM software: Revit v2023, Archicad v27, Tekla, and wood plug-ins: AGACAD, Archiframe, Timber Framing 2015, WoodStud Frame, etc.), the state-of-the-art was assessed in both fields, and several cases linking BIM and wood are shown in detail and discussed. Various theoretical samples are modelled and shown, and the advantages and disadvantages of each technique and stage are explained. On the other hand, although wood construction has been most common for hundreds of years, this is not the case of BIM software developments associated with this materiality. Furthermore, since the appearance of materials such as steel and reinforced concrete, all software developments have focused on these materials, leaving aside the possibility of developing applications for use in wood projects. According to that previously discussed, it can be concluded that BIM for wood has been used more frequently in academia, that both fields have several common processes, and, in many cases, that only a few BIM-wood tools have been used, thus disregarding the high potential and high level of benefits that result with the application of these methodologies for the complete building life cycle (design, construction, and operation).

A new hybrid steel–timber rocking seismic force resisting system equipped with U-shaped fuse connections

This paper introduces a new low-damage hybrid steel–timber rocking braced frame with self-centring capability and proposes a design methodology in the framework of Canadian design standards. This system consists of a gravity load-resisting timber frame and a steel concentrically braced frame acting as the lateral load-resisting system that is connected using U-shaped steel fuses. The self-centring capability is achieved by post-tensioning strands and rocking bases within the lateral load-resisting system. The system, along with its components, is first introduced. The proposed design method and system performance objectives are then presented. The seismic performance of the system and the proposed design procedure are validated through numerical analyses considering the interaction between the lateral and gravity load-resisting systems. The results of dynamic analyses confirm the enhanced seismic performance of the proposed hybrid system with almost no residual deformations after the earthquake. Moreover, the proposed design guidelines can accurately predict the system’s seismic response and demands imposed on the members.

Prefab Light Clay-Timber Elements for Net Zero Whole-Life Carbon Buildings

"Net zero whole life carbon" is an ambitious climate target that refers to neutralizing and offsetting the entire LCA-based carbon footprint of a building, including both operational and embodied greenhouse gas emissions. Especially in the Northern climate, viable building envelope structures must, therefore, provide good thermal insulation and low embodied emissions. Carbon offset is typically based on excess on-site renewable energy or purchased carbon offsets disconnected from the building and the site. Viable strategies for carbon neutrality start by minimizing material-related and energy-related CO2e emissions. As a result, new kinds of building envelope structures have been recently introduced in the academic literature and experimental building projects. Traditional construction materials, such as timber and clay, have been sourced locally and processed manually, providing good results for the embodied emissions in life cycle assessment. Recent studies on clay-based construction materials have concluded that more research on clay as a construction material is needed, in particular considering its environmental performance. One specific concern in the Northern climate is that the weather conditions limit clay construction outdoors and prevent industrial-scale application of these solutions. The methods of prefabrication can address these issues. This study introduces the critical technical and environmental properties of a new prefabricated wall element based on a combination of light timber frame and light clay. In a hybrid light clay-timber structure, a mixture of clay and hemp shives is cast between the timber studs. On the one hand, the novelty of this wall structure is the prefabrication that enables industrial applications and upscaling without the limitations of weather conditions. On the other hand, the study assesses the climate impact of a light clay-timber wall element : cradle-to-gate emissions, thermal insulation, and the climate benefits outside the system boundary (carbon handprint) reported in the D-module of the LCA framework. The study also shows that natural materials require a different approach than synthetic materials from industrial processes. There may be variations in the properties of hemp and clay, especially when local sourcing is prioritized for better environmental performance. Moreover, the mixing and installation processes have a significant impact on the final properties and the performance. We show that constructing a light clay wall is a knowledge-intensive process that may result in very different technical properties.

Construction processes and techniques in traditional Birgi houses: a typical Ottoman settlement

ABSTRACT The historic town of Birgi is a historic settlement within İzmir, Turkey, included in the UNESCO Tentative List of World Heritage Sites in 2012. Traditional Birgi houses, dated to the second half of the 18th and the beginning of the 20th century, are one of the best-representative and best-preserved examples of the hımış houses – the most common housing typology of the Ottoman Period. These hybrid structures include a masonry ground floor and timber frame upper floors as their primary load-bearing systems, with details shaped in line with the regional material availability and the performance of these materials, as well as technical know-how and the local experience of major historic fires and earthquakes. In this study, authentic construction techniques used in the West Anatolian Ottoman houses and information about the construction processes are presented through Birgi's traditional houses. For this aim, a visual examination and documentation of various hımış sub-typologies representative of different construction periods are conducted. The differences in construction details are evaluated in light of the predominant architectural styles and technological possibilities of their construction periods. In addition, the strengths and weaknesses of authentic construction techniques and common construction errors are discussed.

A Connection Through Stucco Technique with Early Medieval Natural Lighting Systems in Rome and Emphasis on the Role of Light in Islamic Architecture Focusing on Khirbat al-Mafiar 7CE.

This article investigates how, since ancient times, building windows have had grids of stucco, stone, wood, or iron, as well as slabs of glass or other materials. They also appeared as simple apertures in the wall, the arrangement of which frequently served decorative functions. Following a classical tradition, the usage of shuttered windows with glass fixed on timber frames was known in late antiquity. The search for a peculiar architectural taste of the late antique and early mediaeval times is particularly appealing due to the light effects produced by shuttered windows made of translucent material, which provides a mystical and suggestive appearance.
 The light that transforms the decoration, using color combinations, sometimes occur in unexpected contexts or in an adjacent architectural form, such as the floor and vault of the royal apse in the bathroom of Khirbat al-Mafjar. The architectural element that includes the lozenges, closer to Khirbat al-Mafjar as a drawing and scheme, to create a particular visual effect, could be seen in three barriers of stucco windows found in situ in the windows of the central nave during the 1930 restorations to Bovino Cathedral. Presence of light during history and in various architectural oeuvres, in addition to functional aspect, as factor for illumination and life conferring to daily activities, it has been abundantly addressed from spiritual aspect and in doctrinal discussions of religions.

The Use of Waste Tyre Rubber Recycled Products in Lightweight Timber Frame Systems as Acoustic Insulation: A Comparative Analysis of Acoustic Performance

The current European standards demand more energy-efficient, comfortable, and sustainable buildings and encourage the incorporation of recycled materials in building construction. Timber buildings are successfully competing with traditional building materials in addressing these challenges; however, one of the weaknesses of timber systems is their limited sound insulation capacity. One material that can fit into the sustainability aims of timber construction and improve its acoustic performance is recycled ground tyre rubber (GTR), which, on top of this, is a serious environmental problem. This paper presents research on the use of GTR materials combined with timber systems in order to improve their acoustic performance. Three different types of GTR products (granulate, rolls, and sheets) of different thicknesses and densities are selected and are combined with different sound-absorbing materials (mineral wool, cellulose, and wood fibre) inside a lightweight timber sandwich system. In this study, the first qualitative approach, the acoustic performance of the different resulting systems is compared based on the sound pressure level difference measured in a custom-made reduced-size transmission chamber. Secondly, the sound reduction index of four selected specimens is measured in an accredited sound transmission laboratory. The results show that, for all the lightweight timber systems included in this research, introducing a GTR layer improves the acoustic performance of the system.

Quantitative contribution assessment of joints and components to the load-carrying capacity of ancient timber frame

This paper aims to quantitatively assess the contribution of the joints and components to the load-carrying capacity of the ancient timber frame. Firstly, the explicit expression of the restoring moment and rotational stiffness of the column foot (CF) with circular cross-section is derived. Also, the restoring moment of the dovetail mortise-tenon (DMT) joint is introduced and its rotational stiffness is derived. Then the DMT joints connected timber frame model is established by the beam and spring elements, and its accuracy is checked by the corresponding model by solid elements in Abaqus. Finally, the contributions of the columns, beam and DMT joints to the load-carrying capacity of the timber frame under different vertical loads are quantitatively assessed. The results show that the horizontal force of the timber frame basically increases with the loading displacement when the vertical load at the column head is small; that increases to the peak value and then decreases with the loading displacement when the vertical load at the column head is relatively large. Although the timber columns provide up to about 80% of the load-carrying capacity of the frame during the whole loading process, the DMT joints provide more than 65% of the final load-carrying capacity, and the contribution promotion of the beam to the load-carrying capacity of the timber frame maintains 5%.

Reinforced concrete corner for timber frame moment resisting joints – Design and experimental assessment

In this paper, a new type of moment-resisting joint for timber frames is proposed and discussed. In short, the prismatic volume of the corner is made up of high-strength concrete reinforced with steel bars bonded in both the timber beam and the column, forming a composite joint. The analytical and experimental study of the resisting moment, stiffness and failure modes of the proposed joint are carried out. The role of the timber cross section and diameters of the steel bars on the resisting moment are investigated, based on an assumed mechanical model for the stress-strain relation. The failure mode based on the yielding of the steel bars is privileged towards the timber shear failure of the bonding of the bars, given its ductile nature. Series of knee joint specimens with steel reinforcement bars of two different diameters were produced and tested to failure. The experimental results showed good agreement with the ultimate moment estimates obtained from the proposed analytical method. Specimens of polygonal bolted joint were also tested, for the sake of comparison. Both the rotational stiffness and bending strength are much higher than those of the traditional bolted joints tested. It is concluded that this joint is structurally effective and has, consequently, good potential of application.

Design procedure for a timber-based seismic retrofit applied to masonry buildings

An innovative timber retrofit was investigated at the EUCENTRE and at the University of Pavia, Italy, as part of a comprehensive research campaign on the seismic vulnerability of existing unreinforced masonry buildings subjected to induced seismicity in The Netherlands. The retrofit system consists of timber frames, connected to the masonry piers and to the floor diaphragms, and oriented-strand board sheathing nailed to the frames and to flexible timber diaphragms. Starting from the main critical aspects observed in experimental tests, the proposed solution was conceived to enhance the in-plane and out-of-plane capacities of masonry piers, improve the overall wall-to-diaphragm connections, increase the floor diaphragm stiffness and strength, and allow possible integration with energy efficiency upgrades. This paper, the first of a series of two, focuses on the conceptual bases of the seismic retrofit system and on the analytical equations that can be used for the design of its components. Moreover, a step-by-step design procedure is presented to guide the reader through the application of these equations. A companion paper [1] will discuss the validation of the analytical formulation with the experimental data from quasi-static cyclic and dynamic shake-table tests on building components and complete specimens.

Heat loss characteristics of typology-based apartment building external walls for a digital twin-based renovation strategy tool

Information about existing building structures is necessary for creating a renovation strategy. Older buildings are often built using typical building envelope structures. However, this information is presented in the building register at a general level, specifying the material type but not its characteristics. For a cross-regional reconstruction strategy, it is necessary to link the scarce information in the building register with the heat loss characteristics of the building envelope structures. In the current study, we classified external wall solutions according to building typologies and linked this with building register information. The typology database includes log, timber frame, brick, concrete, and aerated lightweight concrete external wall structures. Comparing the typology-based values and the actual situation showed that the wall structures’ expected and actual heat loss characteristics agreed. However, there were also significant deviations, primarily because the data from the building register did not allow for precise classification. Nevertheless, data showed that building typology-based heat loss properties are necessary for developing a district-based renovation strategy.

Experimental and numerical research on the lateral behaviour of glued timber frame structures with and without X-type diagonal bracing

The advanced processing technology of glued wood can provide strong support for the construction and application of the modern timber structures. The modern timber structure can meet the requirements of low-carbon development goals and natural living standards, but there still exist some technical difficulties to research, such as seismic performance and design code problems. Hence, this paper presents the lateral behaviour of glued timber frame structures with and without X-type diagonal bracing by experimental and numerical research methods based on these problems. Two single-layer single-span bare glued-laminated timber (GLT) frame specimens and two GLT frames infilled with X-type diagonal bracing specimens with a 1:1.5 scale were designed to investigate the lateral behaviours under the cyclic loading tests. Three types of beam-column joint connectors (the exposed type with infilled steel plate, the coated type with infilled steel plate and the extended coated type with infilled steel plate) were designed to guarantee the effective connection between components. The failure mode, hysteretic characteristics, lateral load-bearing capacity, stiffness degradation, deformation and the lateral load resistance cooperative working mechanism between X-type diagonal bracing and GLT frame of specimens were analyzed. The test results present that the lateral behaviour of the GLT frame is significantly improved after being infilled with the X-shaped diagonal bracing, and the yield lateral load-bearing capacity and the elastic stiffness of the coated type beam-column joint connection in the GLT frame were 1.876 and 1.36 times than that of the specimen with exposed type beam-column joint connection, respectively. The beam-column joint of the bare GLT frame specimen is failure before the column-base joint. The diagonal bracing joints of the GLT frame specimen infilled with the X-shaped bracing were failures first, and then the beam-column and the column-base joints of the GLT frame were damaged. For the specimen infilled with the X-type diagonal bracing, the lateral resistance load was borne by the GLT frame and diagonal bracing, in which the percentage of the lateral load borne by the diagonal brace gradually decreases, while the percentage of the lateral load borne by the GLT frame gradually increases. In addition, the load-deformation relationships of the specimen joints were derived. Based on these relationships, the numerical analysis of the specimen was carried out to study the influences of GLT frame span-depth ratio, the slenderness ratio of GLT diagonal bracing and the wall thickness of steel tube diagonal bracing on the lateral resistance of this structural system.

Hygrothermal Performance of Prefabricated Insulation Elements for Serial Renovation of Apartment Buildings in a Moderately Continental German Climate

The reduction of energy use in the buildings is expected to be reached by fulfilling several requirements of the low- and nearly-zero energy buildings (nZEB) policy. The improvement of the energy performance of the building envelope and the service systems of the existing buildings offers great potential for energy savings as the annual replacement of the existing stock is only 1 to 2%. The efficient way to accomplish the purpose and global goals of the nZEB is to apply the integrated design process, development, and application of prefabricated insulation elements on a large scale. In this project, in the Berlin area of Germany, prefabricated timber frame insulation elements were designed for the external insulation of the envelope of the apartment building in the serial renovation process, with the thermal transmittance of the external envelope U external-wall = 0.14–0.16 W/(m2·K). In the current study, the potential hygrothermal risks and their effect on highly insulated multi-story apartment building envelope were analyzed. The study contained a set of hygrothermal analyses to ensure the moisture safety of highly insulated facade structures and the selection of materials from the perspective of hygrothermal performance and low risk of degradation. This research found that the risk of mold growth is high if timber elements are installed without protective measures against drying-out built-in moisture, wind-driven rain, and other weather conditions. The initial moisture content of the external concrete slab, to be considered critical, is 90 kg/m3, and the drying out period is longer than the covered with new layers constructions can sustain if a proper vapor control layer is not added between the existing moist wall and installed insulation elements. Furthermore, the wind barrier layer with high thermal resistance and vapor permeability of the installed insulation element helps to minimize the risk of mold growth. A careful analysis and selection of materials allow to design moisture-safe timber frame insulation elements and provide low thermal transmittance of renovated building envelopes. The results showed that before the final design and installation of the insulation elements, a thorough hygrothermal analysis of the original external envelope with actual climatic conditions and moisture loads must be realized.

Impact of different water penetration criteria and cavity ventilation rates on the risk of mold growth in timber frame walls with brick veneer cladding

The present paper investigates the impact of different water penetration criteria on the risk for damage in a common type of building envelope in Nordic countries, timber frame walls with brick masonry veneer. The studied walls are evaluated based on one damage criterion, the risk of mold growth. The study investigates several parameters: water penetration criterion, type of moisture source (uniformly distributed or point source) and its position in the wall assembly, air change rate (ACR) (representing different workmanship scenarios), wind-driven rain (WDR) coefficient, and locations (Gothenburg and Rensjön, with different average annual rainfall and temperature). Two criteria on how to implement water penetration are compared: a) a commonly accepted reference model that assumes one percent of all wind-driven rain deposited on the façade to penetrate the clay brick cladding, and b) a new criterion stating that 3.8% of WDR penetrates when the water content of the brick veneer cladding is above 90% of its saturation capacity. The simulation is done for a thirteen-year period with WUFI Pro and WUFI 2D. The results indicate the greater importance of implementing water penetration compared to ventilation in cavities. Further, the findings suggest that the moisture source’s location significantly impacts the mold growth risk. The results also show that the choice of the WDR coefficient affects the risks, which suggests that this factor needs accurate quantification for hygrothermal analyses. The results in this study suggest that an effective measure for the design/maintenance of such walls should incorporate: a) limiting the amount of water penetrating through the cladding, particularly stopping water from reaching the sensitive elements, i.e., timber studs, b) removing extruded mortar stemming from poor workmanship, if any, which may act as a capillary bridge.

Experimental clarification of the lateral performance of squat mud infill walls in the timber frames of traditional Japanese residential houses

This paper presents the experimental results of squat mud infill walls with three different height aspect ratios in the timber frames of traditional Japanese residential houses. The deformation and failure characteristics, lateral load-carrying mechanism, and influence of the height aspect ratio on the lateral behavior of squat mud walls are investigated. We observed that when the height aspect ratio of the mud wall is less than 0.5, the initial failure is dominated by corner crushing rather than by shear failure. The lateral stiffness of the squat mud wall is positively correlated with the wall height, whereas the drift angle corresponding to the bearing capacity exhibits an inverse relationship with the wall height. For a height aspect ratio less than 0.3, the internal deformation of the squat mud wall is primarily driven by the deformation angle related to corner crushing and sliding. However, when the height aspect ratio increases to 0.5, the rotation angle increases significantly. The transformation of the deformation characteristics and internal force distribution of the squat mud wall depends on the interplay between the wall height aspect ratio and friction coefficient between the mud wall and timber frame. Drawing from comparative experiments and internal force analysis, the lateral resistance of the squat mud infill wall can be separated into two groups of elements: Qc and Qc’, stemming from the corner compression between the mud wall and adjacent timber frame or internal timber laths, respectively, which exhibits a significant positive correlation with the wall height; Qf and Qg, attributed to the frictional force of the protruding ends of bamboo laths and the gravitational force of the squat mud wall, respectively, which exhibit a consistent behavior unaffected by alterations in the wall height.

Experimental validation of analytical equations for retrofitting masonry buildings with timber frames and boards

This paper is the second of a series of two, discussing the analytical assessment of the seismic behavior of an innovative timber retrofit for unreinforced masonry structures. The retrofit system consists of timber frames, connected to the masonry piers and to the floor diaphragms, with oriented-strand board sheathing nailed to the frames and to flexible timber diaphragms. The companion paper [1] focused on the conceptual bases of the proposed solution, providing analytical equations for the design of its components, and a step-by-step design procedure for their practical application. In this paper, the proposed formulations are validated against the experimental data coming from in-plane quasi-static shear-compression tests on masonry piers and dynamic shake-table tests on a full-scale building prototype. These tests were performed on nominally-identical specimens in both bare and strengthened configurations, allowing a direct comparison between the experimental and calculated retrofit contribution. In particular, the analytical formulation was applied to reproduce the in-plane response of individual piers, to reproduce the base shear-interstory drift envelope of the building specimens, to assess the out-of-plane strength of walls, and to validate the flexible diaphragm enhancement. Overall, the proposed formulations revealed a good match with the observed retrofit performance and failure mechanisms.