Numerical Modeling for Nonlinear Static Pushover and Response History Analyses of Dhajji-Dewari Structures

ABSTRACT

This paper presents a simplified numerical modeling technique for nonlinear static and dynamic seismic analysis of Dhajji-Dewari structures. The technique comprised idealizing timber beam/column members as an elastic beam-element, diagonal and horizontal braces as an inelastic beam-element with fiber-section, and the connection capacity is simulated using lumped plasticity hinges for tension/rotational resistance. A numerical model prepared for a wall tested under quasi-static cyclic loading was analyzed using a nonlinear static pushover analysis procedure demonstrating an excellent performance of the numerical model in predicting the lateral resistance-displacement response. The technique was extended to a three-dimensional building investigated under shake-table tests, showing promising behavior of the numerical model in predicting the displacement response history of the building, peak displacement demand, and the acceleration amplification. Case studies are presented for nonlinear static pushover analysis of walls with distinct bracing schemes to study the influence of bracing configuration on the lateral resistance and deformability of the wall. Moreover, incremental dynamic analysis of building is performed for the derivation of the vulnerability curve correlating the building damage (pull-out of braces) to the base motion severity (PGA). The building resists PGA equal to 0.86 g corresponding to 10% damage probability, showing significant resistance of Dhajji-Dewari structures.

KEYWORDS:

• Numerical modeling
• timber-braced frame masonry
• Seismostruct
• Dhajji-Dewari
• bracing scheme

Acknowledgments

The research work presented herein is based on the MSc Thesis research conducted by Sheheryar (MSc Student in Structural Engineering) under the supervision of Dr. Naveed Ahmad Associate Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering of UET Peshawar. The authors are grateful to the Editor(s) and reviewers for suggesting improvements to the manuscript.