• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.197-206
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• 2022

Recently, steel-timber hybrid buildings have become prevalent worldwide because several advantages of both steel and timber structures are maintained in the hybrid system. In Taiwan, seismic design specification related to steel-timber hybrid buildings remains void. In this study, the ductility capacity of steel-timber hybrid buildings in Taiwanese seismic design specification is first proposed and evaluated using nonlinear incremental dynamic analysis (IDA). Three non-linear structural models, 12-story, 8-story, and 6-story steel-timer hybrid buildings were constructed using OpenSees. In each model, Douglas-fir was adopted to assemble the upper 4 stories as a timber structure while a conventional steel moment-resisting frame was designated in the lower part of the model. FEMA P-695 methodology was employed to perform IDAs considering 44 earthquakes to assess if the ductility capacity of steel-timber hybrid building is appropriate. The analytical results indicate that the current ductility capacity of steel moment-resisting frames can be directly applied to steel-timber hybrid buildings if the drift ratio of each story under the seismic design force for buildings in Taiwan is less than 0.3%. As a result, engineers are able to design a steel-timber hybrid building straightforwardly by following current design specification. Otherwise, the ductility capacity of steel-timber hybrid buildings must be modified which depends on further studies in the future.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.83-100
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• 2022

Timber is one of the few natural, renewable building materials and glulam is a type of engineering wood product. In the present work, timber-based braces are applied for retrofitting midrise Special Moment Resisting Frame (SMRF) using two types of timber base braces (Timber base glulam, and hybrid Timber-Steel-BRB) as alternatives for retrofitting by traditional steel bracings. The improving effects of adding the bracings to the SMRF on seismic characteristics of the frame are evaluated using load-bearing capacity, energy dissipation, and story drifts of the frame. For evaluating the retrofitting effects on the seismic performance of SMRF, a five-story SMRF is considered unretofitted and retrofitted with steel-hollow structural section (HSS) brace, Glued Laminated Timber (Glulam) brace, and hybrid Timber-Steel BRB. Using OpenSees structural analyzer, the performance are investigated under pushover, cyclic, and incremental loading. Results showed that steel-HSS, timber base Glulam, and hybrid timber-steel BRB braces have more significant roles in energy dissipation, increasing stiffness, changing capacity curves, reducing inter-story drifts, and reducing the weight of the frames, compared by steel bracing. Results showed that Hybrid BRB counteract the negative post-yield stiffness, so their use is more beneficial on buildings where P-Delta effects are more critical. It is found that the repair costs of the buildings with hybrid BRB will be less due to lower residual drifts. As a result, timber steel-BRB has the best energy dissipation and seismic performance due to symmetrical and stable hysteresis curves of buckling restrained braces that can experience the same capacities in tension and compression.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.289-297
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• 2017

This paper presents seismic performance and reliability evaluation on steel-timber hybrid shear wall systems composed of steel moment resisting frames and infill light frame wood shear walls. Based on experimental observations, damage assessment was conducted to determine the appropriate damage-related performance objectives for the hybrid shear wall systems. Incremental time-history dynamic analyses were conducted to establish a database of seismic responses for the hybrid systems with various structural configurations. The associated reliability indices and failure probabilities were calculated by two reliability methods (i.e., fragility analysis and response surface method). Both methods yielded similar estimations of failure probabilities. This study indicated the greatly improved seismic performance of the steel-timber hybrid shear wall systems with stronger infill wood shear walls. From a probabilistic perspective, the presented results give some insights on quantifying the seismic performance of the hybrid system under different seismic hazard levels. The reliability-based approaches also serve as efficient tools to assess the performance-based seismic design methodology and calibration of relative code provisions for the proposed steel-timber hybrid shear wall systems.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.351-360
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• 2018

Energy-based methodology is utilized to design novel timber-steel hybrid core wall system. The timber-steel core wall system consists of cross laminated timber (CLT), steel columns, angled brackets and t-stub connections. The CLT wall panels are stiff and strong, and ductility is provided through the steel t-stub connections. The structural system was modelled in SAP2000 finite element program. The hybrid system is explained in detail and validated using first principles. To evaluate performance of the hybrid core system, a 7-story building was designed using both forced-based design and energy based design (EBD) approaches. Performance of the structure was evaluated using 10 earthquakes records selected for 2500 return period and seismicity of Vancouver. The results clearly served as a good example of the benefits of EBD compared to conventional forced based design approaches.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.101-117
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• 2014

This paper presents a reliability-based analysis on seismic performance of timber-steel hybrid shear wall systems. Such system is composed of steel moment resisting frame and infill wood frame shear wall. The performance criteria of the hybrid system with respect to different seismic hazard levels were determined through a damage assessment process, and the effectiveness of the infill wood shear walls on improving the seismic performance of the hybrid systems was evaluated. Performance curves were obtained by considering different target non-exceedance probabilities, and design charts were further established as a function of seismic weight. Wall drift responses and shear forces in wood-steel bolted connections were used as performance criteria in establishing the performance curves to illustrate the proposed design procedure. It was found that the presence of the infill wood shear walls significantly reduced the non-performance probabilities of the hybrid wall systems. This study provides performance-based seismic evaluations on the timber-steel hybrid shear walls in support of future applications of such hybrid systems in multi-story buildings.

• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.39-49
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• 2020

In this study, we will develop a hybrid cross-sectional shape of steel inserted type glued-laminated timber that can improve the strength of structural glued-laminated timber and maximize the ductility by using steel plate with excellent tensile and deformation ability. A total of three specimens were fabricated and the flexural performance test was carried out to evaluate the structural performance of the steel inserted type glued-laminated timber. In order to compare the effect of steel inserted glued-laminated timber, one structural glued-laminated timber test specimen composed of pure wood was manufactured. In addition, in order to evaluate the adhesion performance of the steel inserted, one each of a screw joint test specimen and a polyurethane joint test specimen was prepared. As a result, all the specimens showed the initial crack in the finger joint near the force point. This has been shown to be a cause of crack diffusion and strength degradation. The use of finger joints in the maximum moment section is considered to affect the strength and ductility of the glued-laminated timber beam. Polyurethane-adhesive steel inserted glued-laminated timber showed fully-composite behavior with little horizontal separation between the steel plate and glued-laminated timber until the maximum load was reached. This method has been shown to exhibit sufficient retention bending performance.

• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.19-28
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• 2023

Timber structures are susceptible to moisture, contamination, and pest infestation, which can compromise their integrity and pose a significant fire hazard. Despite these drawbacks, timber's lightweight properties, eco-friendliness, and alignment with current architectural trends emphasizing sustainability make it an attractive option for construction. Moreover, timber structures offer economic benefits and provide a natural aesthetic that regulates building temperature and humidity. In recent years, timber domes have gained popularity due to their high recyclability, lightness, and improved fire resistance. Researchers are exploring hybrid timber and steel domes to enhance stability and rigidity. However, shallow dome structures still face challenges related to structural instability. This study investigates stability problems associated with timber domes, the behavior of timber and steel hybrid domes, and the impact of timber member positioning on dome stability and critical load levels. The paper analyzes unstable buckling in single-layer lattice domes using an incremental analysis method. The critical buckling load of the domes is examined based on the arrangement of timber members in the inclined and horizontal directions. The analysis shows that nodal snapping is observed in the case of a concentrated load, whereas snap-back is also observed in the case of a uniform load. Furthermore, the use of inclined timber and horizontal steel members in the lattice dome design provides adequate stability.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.191-209
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• 2015

Hybrid girders can be constructed in different geometrical forms and from different materials. Selection of beam's effective constellation represents a complex process considering the variations of geometrical parameters, changes of built in material characteristics and their mutual relations, which has important effect on the behavior of the girder. This paper presents the theoretical and experimental research on behavior of the timber-steel hybrid girders' different geometrical constellation with external prestressing and in different conditions of timber moisture. These researches are based on linear elastic analysis, and further refine by using the plasticity and damage models.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.526-541
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• 2023

Wooden structures are widely used, particularly in earthquake zones, owing to their light weight, ease of application, and resistance to the external environment. In this study, we aimed to improve the mechanical properties of laminated timber beams using novel hybrid systems [carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) and wire rope]. Within the scope of this study, it is expected that using wood, which is an environmentally friendly and sustainable building element, will be more economical and safe than the reinforced concrete and steel elements currently used to pass through wide openings. The structural behavior of the hybrid-reinforced laminated timber beams was determined under the loading system. The experimental findings showed that the highest increase in the values of laminated beams reinforced with steel ropes was obtained with the 2N reinforcement, with a maximum load of 38 kN and a displacement of 137 mm. Thus, a load increase of 168% and displacement increase of 275% compared with the reference sample were obtained. Compared with the reference sample, a load increase of 92% and a displacement increase of 14% were obtained. Carbon fabrics placed between the layers with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) prevented crack development and provided significant interlayer connections. Consequently, the fabrics placed between the laminated wooden beams with the innovative reinforcement system will not disrupt the aesthetics or reduce the effect of earthquake forces, and significant reductions can be achieved in these sections.

• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.25-32
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• 2022

In this paper, the instability of the domed spatial truss structure using wood and the characteristics of the buckling critical load were studied. Hexagonal space truss was adopted as the model to be analyzed, and two boundary conditions were considered. In the first case, the deformation of the inclined member is only considered, and in the second case, the deformation of the horizontal member is also considered. The materials of the model adopted in this paper are steel and timbers, and the considered timbers are spruce, pine, and larch. Here, the inelastic properties of the material are not considered. The instability of the target structure was observed through non-linear incremental analysis, and the buckling critical load was calculated through the singularities and eigenvalues of the tangential stiffness matrix at each incremental step. From the analysis results, in the example of the boundary condition considering only the inclined member, the critical buckling load was lower when using timber than when using steel, and the critical buckling load was determined according to the modulus of elasticity of timber. In the case of boundary conditions considering the effect of the horizontal member, using a mixture of steel and timber case had a lower buckling critical load than the steel case. But, the result showed that it was more effective in structural stability than only timber was used.