Experimental Study on Restorability of Traditional Rocking Timber Frame with Four Columns

Abstract

In order to explore the structural stress characteristics of rocking timber frame in Song Dynasty, the scale model of 1∶2 Song-style four-column four-beam wood frame was tested by horizontal low-cycle reciprocating test. On the basis of the change characteristics of hysteresis curve, skeleton curve, and stiffness degradation curve, the yield stiffness of hysteresis loop, recovery coefficient of displacement, and inter-story displacement concentration factor were used to explore the recoverability of timber frame. The results show that the narrow S-shaped band hysteretic loops are similar, and their equivalent stiffness values degrade significantly. When the horizontal displacement exceeds the yield displacement, the yield stiffness of hysteresis loop approaches overall yield stiffness; The displacement recovery coefficient is between 0.6 and 0.8, and the timber frame has good displacement recovery ability. The inter-story displacement concentration coefficient of the timber frame is between 1.08 and 1.65, and the horizontal deformation is concentrated in the column frame layer, which is the source of timber frame resilience. The research results are the basis of establishing the theoretical analysis model of traditional timber frame, and can provide reference for the current situation evaluation and reinforcement and repair of existing ancient wooden structures.

Keywords

• traditional chinese timber frame
• seismic behavior
• rocking timber structure
• displacement restorability