Seismic Performance Evaluation for a Traditional Chinese Timber-frame Structure

ABSTRACT

This paper presents a study on dynamic characteristics and seismic responses of traditional Chinese timber-frame structures. Micro-tremor measurements were conducted to obtain natural frequencies, vibration modes, and damping ratios. A three-dimensional numerical model considering unique connections, the mass of roof and wooden floor, and adobe walls was developed by ANSYS software and calibrated with the data from prior on-site test. Seismic responses including time histories responses, inter-structural layer drift angles, and isolation characteristics were further discussed. Results indicate that both mortise-tenon joints and the Dougong brackets play an essential role in the vibration isolation and strong lateral force resistance. Also, Dougong fully deforms under the major earthquakes, thereby dissipating more seismic energy. The lateral stiffness of column-beam frame is lower than that of the roof truss. The seismic abilities of the whole structure under the Lanzhou wave are smaller than those under the El Centro wave and the Taft wave.

KEYWORDS:

• Dynamic characteristics
• numerical analysis
• on-site micro-tremor measurements
• seismic performance
• traditional Chinese timber-frame structure

Acknowledgement

Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology and Shaanxi Architecture Science Research Institute Company Limited are gratefully acknowledged.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The research described in this paper was financially supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51978568), National Key Research and Development Plan of the 13th Five-Year (Grant No. 2017YFC0703505), Shaanxi Key Scientific and Technological Innovation Team (Grant No. 2019TD-029), Shaanxi Science and Technology Coordination Innovation Project Plan (Grant No. 2016KTZDSF04-04).