Comparison Between Different Types of Connections and Their Influence on Timber Frames With Masonry Infill Structures' Seismic Behavior

Abstract eng:
Recent tendency in buildings construction emphasizes the use of natural materials. Timber frames with masonry infills (TFM) structure represents one of these types of eco-friendly house. Besides this, latest research studies and earthquakes also proved they are earthquake resistant. TFM structures are still built nowadays, either for aesthetic reasons, seismic resilience, or both. Most important parameters in TFM structures are the timber connections, therefore the paper will present a comparison between five types of connections used for TFM structures and their influence on the main parameters governing the seismic behavior. Five specimens, each composed of a timber frame infilled with one masonry panel, were tested under static cyclic loading. The bottom connections were different for each specimen: cross-halved, mortise-tenon with a timber dowel, mortise-tenon with “L” shaped metal plates, mortise-tenon with “T” shaped metal plates, and mortise-tenon with hold-down. Results showed very similar hysteretic behavior for all specimens, the infill being responsible for the stiffness and strength of the structure, but the connections influenced the damage pattern for the masonry. Cracking of the masonry infill dissipates energy, thus the findings of this study give information on how to choose the connection type when building new TFM houses.

• Export as: BibTeX | MARC | MARCXML | DC | EndNote | NLM | RefWorks
• Add to your basket