Innovative earthquake resistant timber-glass buildings

Bostjan Ber, Miroslav Premrov, Iztok Sustersic, Bruno Dujic

Contemporary Building Design, Celje, Slovenia.
Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia.
Kager Hisa d.o.o., Ptuj, Slovenia.

DOI: 10.4236/ns.2013.58A1008                

Abstract

Over the past decade the use of large size glazing has increased with timber structures. Most of the research works done so far have focused on the building physics aspects of the glazing. This paper, however, deals with the seismic behaviour of timber-glass systems. A series of experiments were performed on the shaking table of the IZIIS institute inSkopje,Macedonia. Oneand two-story full scale structures were subjected to a series of ground motions, namely sinus sweep testing, natural and modified ground motion accelerograms. All together 8 different setups were tested in elastic and inelastic behaviour range. Displacements and accelerations were measured in each floor as well as the slipping of walls, uplifting of their corners and the shear deformation of the adhesive between the glass panels and the timber frames. The tested combination of timber-glass walls exhibited a rocking type of behaviour, resulting in a desirable ductile failure of steel hold-downs and not brittle failure of the glazing nor failure of the adhesive. Hence such a combination of glass and timber in wall systems could potentially be used in seismically active areas.

Keywords

Timber; Glass; Seismic; Shake Table Testing; Experimental Mechanics

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Niedermaier, P. (2003) Shear-strength of glass panel elements in combination with timber frame constructions. Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Architectural and Automotive Glass (GPD), Tampere, 15-18 June 2003, 262-264.
[2]	Kreuzinger, H. and Niedermaier, P. (2005) Glas als Schubfeld. Tagungsband Ingenieurholzbau, Karlsruher Tage.
[3]	Holzforshung Austria (2008) Holz-glas-verbundkonstruktionen, weiterentwicklung und herstellung von holzglas-verbundkonstruktionen durch statisch wirksames verkleben von holz und glas zum praxiseinsatz im holzhausbau (impulsprojekt V2 des kind holztechnologie). Endbericht, Vienna.
[4]	Cruz, P., Pequeno, J., Lebet. J.P. and Mocibob, D. (2010) Mechanical modelling of in-plane loaded glass panes. Challenging Glass 2—Conference on Architectural and Structural Applications of Glass, Delft, 20-21 May 2010, 309-319.
[5]	Blyberg, L. (2011) Timber/glass adhesive bonds for structural applications. Licentiate Thesis by Louise Blyberg, Linnaeus University, School of Engineering, Sweden.
[6]	Ber, B., Premrov, M. and Kuhta, M. (2012) Horizontal load-carrying capacity of timber-framed walls with glass sheathing in prefabricated timber construction. Proceedings of the 34th Assembly of Structural Engineers of Slovenia, Bled, 11-12 October 2012, 211-218.
[7]	Schober, K.P., Leitl, D. and Edl, T. (2006) Holz-glasverbundkonstruktionen zur gebaudeaussteifung, magazin für den holzbereich. Heft 1, Holzforschung Austria, Vienna.
[8]	Wellershoff, F. (2006) Nutzung der verglasung zur aussteifung von gebaudehüllen. Ph.D. Thesis, SchriftenreiheStahlbau RWTH Aachen, Heft 57, Shaker Verlag, Aachen.
[9]	Mocibob, D. (2008) Glass panel under shear loading— Use of glass envelopes in building stabilization. Ph.D. Thesis, école Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Thèse No. 4185, Lausanne.
[10]	Huveners, E.M.P. (2009) Circumferentially adhesive bonded glass panes for bracing steel frames in facades. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Technology Eindhoven, Eindhoven.
[11]	Rajcic, V. and Zarnic, R. (2012) Racking performance of wood-framed glass panels. The future of timber engineering. World Conference on Timber Engineering, Auckland, 15-19 July 2012, 57-56.
[12]	Rajcic V. and Zarnic R. (2012) Seismic response of timber frames with laminated glass infill. Proceedings of the 45th CIB-W18 Meeting, August 2012, Vaxjo, Paper 4515-4.
[13]	Zegarac L.V. and Premrov, M. (2011) An approach in architectural design of energy-efficient timber buildings with a focus on the optimal glazing size in the south-oriented facade. Energy and Buildings, 43, 3410-418. doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2011.09.003
[14]	Kozem S.E., Premrov, M. and Silih, S. (2012) Numerical analysis of timber-framed wall elements coated with single fibre-plaster boards. Engineering Structures, 41, 118125. doi:10.1016/j.engstruct.2012.03.044
[15]	Dujic B., Aicher S. and Zarnic R. (2006) Testing of wooden panels applying realistic boundary conditions. WCTE 2006—9th World Conference on Timber Engineering, Portland, 6-10 August 2006, 193 Pages.
[16]	Dujic, B., Klobcar, S. and Zarnic, R. (2007) Influence of openings on shear capacity of wooden walls. Proceedings of the 40th CIB-W18 Meeting, Bled, Paper 40-15-6.
[17]	Yasumura, M. (1986) Racking resistance of wooden frame walls with various openings. Proceedings of the 19th CIB-W18 Meeting, Florence, 25 Pages.
[18]	Standards New Zealand (1993) Timber structures standard. NZS3603, Wellington.
[19]	Hoadley, R.B. (2000) Understanding wood, a Crafstman`s guide to wood technology. The Taunton Press, Newtown and Naugatuck.
[20]	European Committee for Standardization (2011) EN 594: 2011: Timber structures. Test methods. Racking strength and stiffness of timber frame wall panels. Brussels.
[21]	European Committee for Standardization (2003) EN 1194: 2003 E: Timber structures. Glued laminated timber. Strength classes and determination of characteristic values. Brussels.
[22]	European Committee for Standardization (2004) EN 5721:2004: Glass in building. Basic soda lime silicate glass products. Part 1: Definitions and general physical and mechanical properties. Brussels.
[23]	F&E Kommerling Chemische Fabrik GmbH (2011) Stresselongation-curve for Kodiglaze P/Kodiglaze P hv. Germany (Stress-strain diagram—Figure 5 on page 4).