Seismic performance of glued-laminated wood frame and frame brace structure: Experimental and finite element analysis

The glued-laminated wood frame structure has the problems of insufficient bearing capacity, low lateral stiffness and low energy dissipation, which adversely affect the seismic performance of the structure. In order to improve the seismic performance of the structure, quasi-static tests were conducted on three glued-laminated wood frames to study their cyclic behavior, the failure pattern, bearing capacity, displacement ductility, stiffness degradation and energy dissipation capacity in detail. The test results showed that the hysteresis curves of the three specimens were not full, showing a typical “pinching” characteristic. The addition of flange stiffeners (Specimen TFB) and additional wood braces (Specimen TFBT) significantly improved the lateral bearing capacity, ductility characteristics and cumulative energy dissipation of the glued-laminated wood frame (Specimen TFA). In addition, the finite element models were established and compared with the test results. The simulation result showed that the modeling of the three specimens can fully reflect the hysteretic characteristics of the specimen pretty well. Reducing the beam-to-column stiffness ratio, increasing the wood brace cross-sectional area and increasing the bolt diameter can improve the lateral bearing capacity of the glued-laminated wood frames in various degrees. •The strength, stiffness, and energy dissipation of the glulam frame structure are improved by adding flange stiffeners.•The failure is cracking of the beam, column and wood braces, but wood braces can improved strength of the glulam frame.•Reducing the beam-to-column stiffness ratio can improve the lateral bearing capacity of the structure.•Increasing the brace section area and the bolt diameter can improve the lateral bearing capacity of the structure.