Full-scale testing, modelling and analysis of light-frame structures under lateral loading

Abstract

Deposited with permission of the author. © 2002 Phillip J. Paevere.The differing needs and expectations of building owners, users and society are driving a change towards a technology-intensive, performance-based approach to the design and evaluation of light-frame structures. A critical underlying assumption of the performance-based philosophy is that performance can be predicted with reasonable accuracy and consistency. Development of improved performance prediction technologies, for light-frame structures, requires a detailed understanding of the structural behaviour of light-frame buildings, as well as the environmental loadings to which they are subjected during their lifetime. Full-scale structural testing in the laboratory, combined with analytical modelling, are essential in obtaining this understanding. This thesis presents the results of experimental and analytical investigations into the performance of light-frame structures under lateral loading. The specific objectives of this research are to:1)develop simple, experimentally validated numerical models of light-Frame structures, which can be used to predict their performance under lateral loads, particularly seismic loads; and 2) collect experimental data suitable for validation of detailed finite-element models of light-frame structures