Design and Construction of Prestressed Timber Buildings for Seismic Areas


Stefano Pampanin, Tobias Smith, Andy Buchanan and Massimo Fragiacomo
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand

This paper describes the structural design of low-rise multi-storey timber buildings using a new and exiting structural system. This system originally developed for use with precast concrete, combines un-bonded post-tensioning and additional energy dissipaters, providing a recentering capability after the earthquake, while greatly reducing the structural damage.

This new structural system can be used in multi-storey buildings, with large structural timber members made from laminated veneer lumber (LVL) or glulam timber, with lateral loads resisted by prestressed timber frames or walls, separately or in combination. A case study of a six storey timber office building in a moderate seismic area is analysed and a virtual design is carried out, allowing investigation of different methods of structural analysis, and development of many construction and connection details for rapid construction. Total building cost is compared to equivalent steel and reinforced concrete options.  

Recent developments in seismic design have led to the development of damage control design philosophies and innovative seismic resistant systems. In particular, jointed ductile connections for precast concrete structures have been implemented and successfully validated. These solutions rely on discrete dissipative mechanism placed in specific locations in the structure.

A precast concrete seismic resisting system developed in the U.S.-PRESSS program (PREcast Seismic Structural System), coordinated by the University of California, San Diego, for frame and wall systems has been shown to be particularly effective. This system, referred to as the hybrid system, combines unbonded post-tensioned tendons with grouted longitudinal mild steel bars or any form of dissipation device.


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