A commercially available, three-dimensional (3-D) finite-element (FE) analysis
program was used to model metal-plate-connected (MPC) joints in wooden trusses.
The model's features included consideration of material properties, teeth-to-grain-to-direction-
of-force orientation, and wood-to-wood contact. Non-linear spring elements,
placed on the wood surface between wood and plate, were used to represent wood-to-teeth...
The objectives of this research were to evaluate the
behavior of actual metal-plate-connected (MPC) tension-splice
and heel wood truss joints under seismic loads from the
Northridge earthquake (tension-splice joints only) and under
loads from a large artificial earthquake (1.0 g's and 0.67
g's maximum horizontal and vertical accelerations,
respectively). A...
Metal-plate-connected (MPC) trusses have traditionally been designed based on a
tributary load distribution and a simplified truss model. This design method ignores the
load-sharing and composite action in MPC roof truss systems, the semi-rigidity of MPC
joints, and joint eccentricity.
The main objective of this study was to provide a...
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 research was to develop a one-third scale model of full-size
(prototype) metal-plate-connected (MPC) wood truss joints using similitude theory. The
prototype metal connector plates in MPC joints were modeled using thin galvanized sheet
metal and short staples. Truss grade wood material was ripped to one-third scale...
The objective of this research was to evaluate the duration of load factor for
metal-plate-connected (MPC) truss joints subjected to various cyclic loading conditions.
Heel and tension-splice joints from a standard 30-foot span Fink truss constructed from
nominal 2x4 Douglas-fir lumber were tested. A testing frame similar to that developed...
This study presents a practical method to model an actual Metal-Plate-
Connected (MPC) roof truss assembly using a commercial program, SAP2000, to
investigate its system performance. Truss assembly modeling was examined
because the conventional single truss design method ignores system effects, such as
variability of modulus of elasticity (MOE), interaction...
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...
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 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...
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 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...
The overall goal of this study was to gain an insight into the load sharing aspect between oriented strand board (OSB) and gypsum wall board (GWB) in shear wall assembly during racking load. More specifically the objectives of the study were to: (1) evaluate qualitatively the load sharing between OSB...
The overall goal of this study was to evaluate an alternative to
traditional wood framed shear wall construction. This study introduced the
innovative idea of using a water and seismic damage resistant, wood-concrete-
composite (WCC) construction instead of an all-wood design. The
WCC design consisted of a thin shell of...
The goal of this study was to develop an understanding of the nature of surge wave loading on
wood framed residential structures for a variety of building configurations and test conditions.
The objectives of the study were: (1) to measure forces on a 1/6th scale wood framed
residential structure, (2)...
The objective of this project was to develop an analytical model of a light-framed wood structure using a prevalent structural analysis computer program in order to evaluate system effects and define load paths within the structure, especially under extreme wind events. Simplified modeling techniques and material definitions were developed and...
The overall goal of this project was to design a wood frame shear wall that could withstand greater displacement before damage occurred to the Gypsum Wall Board (GWB). More specifically, the objectives of the study were: (1) to evaluate damage to the GWB in alternative shear wall designs at 1%,...
For wood beams, it is often assumed that the neutral axis is located at the centroid of the
beam. The neutral axis of isotropic, homogeneous materials is located at the centroid of the
material, but wood is neither isotropic nor homogeneous. The varying grain patterns and
knots located throughout wood...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 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...
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...
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...
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...
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 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...
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...