Seismic Performance of Innovative Heavy Timber Frames
Project Lead: Sean Miller, M.A.Sc. (2017)
This projects main focus is on the seismic performance of a newly developed hybrid timber-steel structural system designed for the adaptation of advanced bracing systems into mid-rise heavy timber structures. The structural system used predominantly glue-laminated heavy timber elements in combination with small, selective amount of steel to add strength to the timber frame, preventing brittle tension perpendicular-to-grain failure. This study uses hybrid simulation to better understand the seismic behaviour of a seven-storey hybrid timber-steel braced frame under more realistic loading conditions. The experimental substructure in the lab consists of a first-storey 2/3 scale heavy timber braced frame with a stainless-steel-brass friction brace used to mimic the response of a buckling restrained brace (BRB). The remaining 6 storeys of the structure are modelled analytically using OpenSees. The research team hopes that results of the hybrid simulation will validate the design approach of the newly developed structural system and demonstrate exceptional seismic performance.
Hybrid Simulation of a Multi-Storey RC Shear Wall Structure
Project Lead: Joshua Woods, Ph.D. (2019)
Despite significant advancements in the use of hybrid simulation to capture the seismic response of civil engineering infrastructure, there have been very few hybrid tests conducted on reinforced concrete (RC) shear wall buildings. This is due in part to the stiff nature of RC shear walls, which can be challenging to control on the experimental side of the hybrid simulation. This project aims to develop strategies to overcome these challenges and conduct a hybrid simulation on a three-storey prototype RC shear wall. In the hybrid simulation, the firststorey shear wall is experimentally tested at 2/5 of its original scale. The remaining two storeys are modelled analytically using shell elements in OpenSees. In this substructuring approach, the detailed local failure mechanisms in the first storey plastic hinge are accounted for in the experimental test, while the seismic response of the remaining stories is captured analytically. The research team hopes the results of the study will demonstrate that hybrid simulation is an effective tool to capture the seismic response of stiff RC structures.