Experimental Seismic Response of a Full-Scale Light-Frame Wood Building
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 136, Issue 3
Abstract
A full-scale, two-story, light-frame wood townhouse building, designed according to modern U.S. engineered seismic design requirements, was tested on two triaxial shake tables operating in unison. The main objective of this experimental study was to determine the dynamic characteristics and the seismic performance of the test building under various base input intensities, representative of both ordinary and near-field ground motions in southern California. The building was tested with and without interior (gypsum wallboard) and exterior (stucco) wall finishes. The test results revealed that the installation of gypsum wallboard to the interior surfaces of structural wood sheathed walls substantially improved the seismic response of the test building. The application of exterior stucco further improved the seismic response of the test building, particularly in its longitudinal direction, where the shear response of low aspect ratio wall piers dominated. These shake table test results provide the evidence of the significant influence that wall finish materials have on the behavior of lateral load-resisting systems in light-frame wood construction.
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Acknowledgments
The material presented in this paper is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Nos. NSFCMMI-0529903 (NEES Research) and NSFCMMI-0402490 (NEES Operations). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the writer(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. The writers gratefully acknowledge Dr. Weichiang Pang from Texas A&M University, Dr. Shiling Pei and Ms. Hongyan Liu from Colorado State University for their reviews of the manuscript of this paper. The following organizations are also acknowledged for providing financial and in-kind support to the shake table testing described in this paper: APA—The Engineered Wood Association, B&L Wholesale Supply Inc., Buffalo Plastering Inc., Erie Community College, Gambale U.S.A., Georgia Pacific, Hartland Builders, MiTek Industries Inc., National Gypsum Company, NGC Testing Services, National Overhead Door Inc., Niagara Truss and Pallet LLC, Northeast Window and Door, Ridg-U-Rak Inc., Simpson Strong-Tie Inc., Stanley Bostitch, and Taylor Devices Inc.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 136 • Issue 3 • March 2010
Pages: 246 - 254
Copyright
© 2010 ASCE.
History
Received: Mar 28, 2008
Accepted: Sep 18, 2009
Published online: Sep 22, 2009
Published in print: Mar 2010
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