Seismic Perfromance of Masonary Building With Timber Frames

Abstract

Nepali traditional dwelling houses constructed in brick masonry with traditional technology constitute the major type of structures in the urban nuclei of the Kathmandu Valley. Preservation of these structures against possible earthquakes is of prime concern in view of conservation needs. The present study deals with the seismic evaluation of typical traditional Nepali traditional dwelling houses constructed in brick masonry with traditional technology constitute the major type of structures in the urban nuclei of the Kathmandu Valley. Preservation of these structures against possible earthquakes is of prime concern in view of conservation needs. The present study deals with the seismic evaluation of typical traditional building of brick masonry with timber frames.

The present work of the comprehensive study on the subject is divided into two parts. In the first part, various modeling of connections between different elements of brickwork and timber is studied through analysis of number of analytical test models. Based on the results of the sensitivity study of different joint models, the most efficient and appropriate model adopted in the seismic evaluation of the typical traditional dwelling house, the second part of the work. The seismic evaluation of the typical building is carried out by three dimensional analysis of the structure using finite element method. For the analysis, the brickwork is discretized as the eight nodded solid elements, and the timber beams and columns as frame elements. The flexible timber floor is duly considered. The building is assessed for various load cases including gravity loads and earthquake effects in terms of response spectra.

The results of the analysis show that the traditional floors and the spandrels of the existing structure are the weakest parts which need strengthening to make the structure withstand earthquake excitation. The required improvement and strengthening techniques are proposed mainly with the floor converted into rigid floor diaphragm. The analysis of the modified structure shows considerable improvement in the dynamic characteristics of the building and overall structural response. of brick masonry with timber frames.

The present work of the comprehensive study on the subject is divided into two parts. In the first part, various modeling of connections between different elements of brickwork and timber is studied through analysis of number of analytical test models. Based on the results of the sensitivity study of different joint models, the most efficient and appropriate model adopted in the seismic evaluation of the typical traditional dwelling house, the second part of the work. The seismic evaluation of the typical building is carried out by three dimensional analysis of the structure using finite element method. For the analysis, the brickwork is discretized as the eight nodded solid elements, and the timber beams and columns as frame elements. The flexible timber floor is duly considered. The building is assessed for various load cases including gravity loads and earthquake effects in terms of response spectra.

The results of the analysis show that the traditional floors and the spandrels of the existing structure are the weakest parts which need strengthening to make the structure withstand earthquake excitation. The required improvement and strengthening techniques are proposed mainly with the floor converted into rigid floor diaphragm. The analysis of the modified structure shows considerable improvement in the dynamic characteristics of the building and overall structural response.