Seismic performance and nonlinear model of mass timber buckling restrained braced frame

Abstract

A timber frame with mass ply lam (MPL) beams and columns and a timber buckling restrained brace (TBRB) was subjected to cyclic loads according to the AISC qualification procedure for conventional buckling restrained braces (BRB). The TBRBs met the requirements for qualification of conventional BRBs; the steel core reached a maximum strain of 3.l% in both tension and compression and the braced frame reached a maximum drift ratio of 4.5%. A numerical OpenSees model of a single-story timber frame with a TBRB was built and validated by TBRB component tests and MPL beam-column joint tests with slotted-in steel plates and steel dowels. The single-story TBRB braced frame model was expanded to an eight-story frame and analyzed using static, cyclic, and earthquake loads. During the simulation of eleven design-level earthquake ground motions, the building experienced a peak inter-story drift at of 2.54% at the first-floor level and a peak floor acceleration of l.7g at the roof. The numerical model developed in this research of a timber buckling restrained braced frame with TBRBs is novel and could be used to design timber buckling restrained braced frames as a ductile lateral force resisting solution for mass timber buildings in seismic regions.

Citation

Williamson, Emily; Pantelides, Chris P.; Blomgren, Hans-Erik; Rammer, Douglas. 2025. Seismic performance and nonlinear model of mass timber buckling restrained braced frame. In: World Conference on Timber Engineering. Brisbane, Australia. June 22-26, 2025. 3684-3692. https://doi.org/10.52202/080513-0348.