Shake table tests on the traditional column-and-tie timber structures

In order to study the seismic performance of Chinese traditional column-and-tie timber structure, two 1:2 scaled model structures, one without infilled wallboard and the other with infilled wallboard, were fabricated and tested on shaking table in Key Laboratory of Structural Engineering and Earthquake Resistant at Xi'an University of architecture and technology. In the test, the maximum responses of acceleration and displacement were measured and evaluated, as well as the dynamic characteristics, global hysteresis response and torsion effect. Test results indicate that the column-and-tie timber structure has large flexibility and deformability, and the energy dissipation capacity of the structure increases with the increasing magnitude of earthquake excitation. Meanwhile, the structure incorporating wallboard exhibited a substantial increase in its lateral stiffness and a dramatic reduction in its seismic displacement response. Furthermore, the seismic acceleration response of the structure was moderately increased by the presence of wallboard. It is suggested that the wallboard should be taken into consideration on the lateral stiffness of the whole structure. Such a comprehensive analysis helps enhance understanding of the seismic-resistant behavior of this type of construction, which is certainly important for historic preservation efforts.