Mass timber is emerging as a viable form of construction around the world in new markets for wood buildings. The entrance into these markets has driven the demand for more knowledge to enable designs alongside other structural materials such as steel and reinforced concrete.
Large, in-plane tests on cross-laminated timber...
The objective of this study was to investigate load paths in an existing light-frame wood structure with complex geometry, using previously established computer modeling methods. The structural model is derived from an existing, multi-level residence located in Corvallis, Oregon. For the purpose of this study, the existing structure was simplified...
Many publications, documents, codes and guidelines exist related to the seismic evaluation and rehabilitation design of existing buildings. This report discusses the assumptions and methods employed for investigation of two wood structures using four references: FEMA 154, FEMA 356, ASCEI per SEI 31, and 1997 UBC. The screening performed using...
The goal of this project is to contribute to the development of design values for cross-laminated timber (CLT) diaphragms in the seismic load-resisting system for buildings. Monotonic and cyclic tests to determine strength and stiffness characteristics of 2.44 m (8 ft) long shear connections with common self-tapping screws were performed....
The objectives of this study are to use SAP2000 to investigate lateral load paths and system behavior in a modular, light-frame wood structure by investigating different foundation configurations and to further develop and validate existing modeling techniques of shear wall elements based on the Perforated Shear Wall Method. The modeling...
Many nondestructive techniques for structural health monitoring are subjective and based on visual observations of degradation. In addition, dynamic properties of structures are already used to obtain quantitative structural health data. However, most current data collection is limited to localized damage on the structure, rather than global response. Recent research...
There are about 80 million single-family dwellings (SFD) in the United States, predominantly of wood-frame construction. Of these, 68% are owner occupied. A home is typically the largest single investment of a family, and is often not covered by earthquake insurance, even where it is available. Of all SFD in...
The objective of this study was to compare light wood framing and traditional timber
framing quantitatively through environmental impact assessment and load path analysis. This
research was inspired by a traditional timber frame structure constructed in Vermont in 2011, and
the design of structures considered within reflect the general characteristics...
The objective of this study was to develop and validate practical modeling
methods for investigating load paths and system behavior in a realistic, light-frame wood
structure. The modeling methods were validated against full-scale tests on subassemblies
and an L-shaped house. The model of the L-shaped house was then modified
and...
The torsion test was evaluated as a method for determining the shear
strength of full-size structural lumber. The evaluation involved an experimental
length study, an experimental depth study, and a finite element study.
The length study consisted of fifty nominal 2x4 specimens, ten specimens
for each length, and ten American...
The objective of this project was to evaluate methods to remediate a wood I-joist with a single, circular hole in the web while leaving utilities in place. The methods were experimentally evaluated with a full-scale bending test using four equally spaced point loads. There were three depths of joists with...
During the past several decades, earthquakes have caused extensive damage to
buildings, including wood-frame, single-family dwellings, in the United States. In
order to mitigate future losses, existing buildings in earthquake prone areas should be
evaluated for their seismic safety. This is also an important issue for buildings in
Oregon due...
Since 2004 there have been multiple devastating tsunamis around the globe triggered by large magnitude earthquakes; with the most recent being the Tohoku, Japan tsunami in March 2011. These tsunamis have caused significant loss of life and damage to the coastal communities impacted by these powerful waves. The resulting devastation...
In a homogenous and isotropic material, the location of the neutral axis coincides with the location of the centroid of the beam. Wood is anisotropic, meaning that it has different properties in different directions. It is also non-homogenous, meaning that the beam exhibits different properties at different locations throughout its...
The objectives of this study were to evaluate the performance of wood frame shear walls
under monotonic, cyclic and earthquake loads by: (1) estimating the variability of shear wall
performance, (2) comparing the performance of walls under each loading protocol, (3) evaluating
the effects of anchorage on wall performance, and...
The overall goal of this study is to evaluate the earthquake performance of wood frame
shear walls, and more specifically: (1) to compare the performance differences of fully and
partially anchored walls under monotonic, cyclic, and earthquake loads, (2) to compare wall
performance under earthquake loads with that of standardized...
Friction dampers have been used successfully to dissipate seismic
energy in steel and concrete structures. The application is new to timber
structures. The objectives of this research were to design a slotted bolted
connection (SBC) and evaluate its potential as a passive energy damper in
timber brace.
The research was...
The objectives of this study are: (1) to evaluate the effect of reference
displacement on wall behavior under fully reversed cyclic loading using the
CUREE test protocol and (2) to assess damage accumulation (visible fastener
damage and stiffness degradation) for the imposed drift levels. All tests were
conducted on identical...
The objective of this study was to determine the effect of misplaced hold-downs
on the static and cyclic behavior of wood shear walls. Three shear wall
configurations were considered in this study. The first configuration (control) had
hold-downs at the ends of the wall (wall type 1), the second configuration...
Engineers, in practice, are often faced with the challenge of evaluating a fire-damaged structure and developing a rehabilitation and retrofit plan. In order to decide on a rehabilitation and retrofit plan, information on thermal degradation of building materials and connections are vital. A critical knowledge gap exists in terms of...