SEISMIC RESPONSE OF LIGHT-FRAME WOOD BUILDINGS

A general three-dimensional (3D) model of light-frame wood buildings i s presented. The model has the capabilities of dealing with different structural configurations and different types of loading. Comprehensiv e verification studies are performed to check the accuracy of the mode l by comparing with some available experimental data. The proposed mod el shows excellent correlation with the experimental data. As an appli cation, investigations are conducted to evaluate the seismic response of light-frame wood buildings with different geometric configurations. The effects of the asymmetric in-plane stiffness, dimensions of the h orizontal diaphragm, the presence of partition walls, and the ground m otion intensity on the structural response are studied. The correspond ing load distribution of lateral forces among the shear walls and the deflections of horizontal diaphragms are the main parameters of this s tudy. The application study indicates that rigidity of the horizontal diaphragm is influenced by its dimensions and that partition walls res ist a substantial amount of seismic forces depending on their stiffnes s and the dimensions of the horizontal diaphragm.