Seismic performance evaluation of traditional timber Hımış frames: capacity spectrum method based assessment

Abstract

Timber constructions have been widely suggested to be seismically resistant based on post-disaster reconnaissance studies. This observation has, however, remained to a large extent anecdotal due to the lack of experimental work supporting it, especially for certain timber architectural forms, including traditional timber frame ''hımış'' structures. To fill this gap, the authors carried out an extensive full-scale testing scheme using frames of various geometrical configurations, tested under reverse-cyclic lateral loading with/ without infill (brick and adobe) or cladding (bagdadi and şamdolma) (Aktas et al. in Earthq Spectra 30(4):1711-1732, 2014a, b). The tests concluded that hımış frames had high energy dissipation capabilities due mostly to nailed connections. Infill/cladding significantly helped improve stiffness and lateral load strength of the frames, and timber type did not seem to make a remarkable impact on the overall behaviour. The current paper, on the other hand, uses test data to calculate capacity/demand ratios based on capacity spectrum method and Eurocode 8 to elaborate more on the performance of ''hımış'' structures under seismic loading. The obtained results are discussed to draw important conclusions with regards to how frame geometry and infill/cladding techniques affect the overall performance.

Seismic resistance of traditional timber-frame hımış structures in Turkey: a brief overview

“…The frames were first tested in their bare state, and then repaired and re-tested with infill (brick and adobe; Figure 4b&c, respectively) and cladding (bağdadi and şamdolma, the latter being a central Anatolian variety of the former, with up to 5 times wider laths, see Figure 4d&e, respectively). The findings from the testing scheme were reported in detail elsewhere (see [49][50][51][52]). In the following, certain structural features of hımış houses are further discussed in the light of the findings of the aforementioned testing scheme and other resources.…”

Seismic Vulnerability of Urban Vernacular Buildings in Nepal: Case of Newari Construction

“…Similarly, Stellacci et al [2016] presented the case study of seismic performance of Gaiola and Borbone vernacular construction system and concluded that both construction systems consist significant earthquake-resistant features. Many vernacular building types such as Pombalino [Stellacci et al, 2017], Casa baraccata [Dipasquale et al, 2014], Himis (Aktas and Turer, 2016], Dhajji dewari [Ahmad et al, 2012], Ghumaune dhi [Gautam et al, 2016a], among others have been studied in the past. Seismic performance of urban vernacular building stocks is crucial to identify as their performance may alter the damage and death statistics, especially in traditional settlements.…”

An approach for the reconstruction of a traditional masonry-wooden building located in an archeological area. Part II: Building reconstruction

“…Traditional timber framed buildings are composite structures, characterized by upper storeys composed of a timber frame load-bearing system constructed on top of a masonry ground storey [25]. There are some post-disaster studies presenting a favourable seismic performance of the buildings [26][27][28][29].…”