Timber frame houses resistant to dynamic loads - seismic analysis

Abstract

The aim of the article is to present results of seismic analysis results of two real-sized timber frame buildings subjected to seismic excitations. The first model was insulated with mineral wool, the second one with polyurethane foam. Technology and specifications involved in both models construction is based on the previously conducted experimental research on timber frame houses, including wall panels tests, wall numerical models and study on material properties and precisely reflect results of the those research. During the seismic analysis reference node located in buildings were selected. In selected node displacement values were measured and compared between two analyzed models. The results of the numerical analysis presented in the article indicate that the application of polyurethane foam for a skeleton filling of the timber-frame building leads to the increase in stiffness as well as damping of the whole structure, which results in a considerable increase in the seismic resistance of the structure.