Dynamic Characteristics of Light-frame Wood Buildings

Abstract

This research project deals with dynamic field testing of light-frame wood buildings with wood based shear walls. The primary objective of the investigation is to evaluate the code formula for estimating light wood frame building’s fundamental period, through intensive field testing and numerical modelling. The project also aims to propose an alternative simplified rational approach where applicable. The thesis provides insight to the ambient vibration testing procedures of light-frame wood buildings and explains the protocol adopted for the current research program. Ambient vibration (AV) field tests were conducted on several multi-storey wood and beam-and-post buildings in Canada. Modal parameters of measured buildings, such as natural frequency, mode shapes and equivalent structural damping were obtained from Frequency Domain (FD) analysis of ambient motion records. Experimental and numerical investigations were performed to evaluate the effect of non-structural components, and the connectivity between firewall-separated buildings, on dynamic properties of light-frame wood buildings. The study provides a reliable expression for building period estimate based on field testing and numerical modeling.