Experimental characterisation of as-built and retrofitted timber-masonry connections under monotonic, cyclic and dynamic loading

In the province of Groningen (NL), where human-induced earthquakes take place due to gas extraction, a large part of the building stock is composed of brick masonry walls and timber diaphragms. In this framework, timber-masonry connections play a crucial role in the global seismic response of the buildings, but their properties and structural...

Monotonic, cyclic and dynamic behaviour of timber-masonry connections

Historical or existing buildings are often composed of brick or stone masonry walls, and timber floors and roofs. When these buildings are subjected to earthquakes, the interaction among such structural components is essential to avoid collapse or excessive damage to the constructions. In this framework, a crucial role is played by the...

Analytical and numerical modelling of the in-plane response of timber diaphragms retrofitted with plywood panels

In the region of Groningen (NL), human-induced earthquakes initiated by gas extraction are causing structural damage. In that area, the building stock is mainly composed of unrein- forced masonry (URM) buildings with light and flexible timber floors and roofs. Thus, an ex- perimental campaign was arranged for assessing the in-plane response of...

Dissipative properties of timber diaphragms strengthened with plywood panels

In the field of seismic retrofitting, a common intervention to improve box-like behaviour in an existing building is the strengthening and stiffening of existing timber floors and roofs. However, these retrofitting methods should be carefully applied, because they change the static scheme and the buildings' response to earthquakes....

An analytical model describing the in-plane behaviour of timber diaphragms strengthened with plywood panels

Timber diaphragms in existing buildings are often too flexible in their plane, and can thus potentially cause out-of-plane collapses of walls during earthquakes. A very efficient retrofitting method to increase their in-plane stiffness and energy dissipation is the overlay of plywood panels. However, the usual characterization of the floors by...

Experimental and analytical evaluation of the in-plane behaviour of as-built and strengthened traditional wooden floors

Traditional timber floors cannot normally withstand horizontal seismic loads without large deformations. This may lead to a corresponding out-of-plane collapse of masonry walls in existing buildings. This situation is even more critical in the Netherlands, around the city of Groningen, where human-induced earthquakes started to take place....