THREE-DIMENSIONAL NUMERICAL MODEL OF PROGRESSIVE FAILURE IN WOOD LIGHT-FRAME BUILDINGS

摘要

Although simple in construction details, wood light-frame buildings (WLFB) are extremely complex to model following initial damage. This is because of the high degree of structural redundancy they embody and the large deformability of mechanical joints in the post-elastic regime. A number of non-linear models have been developed to represent responses of joints and embedded in two- and three-dimensional finite element models of WLFB, to predict behaviour and failure mechanisms at the system level under wind or seismic load scenarios. This paper demonstrates application of a joint modelling approach that correctly represents joint behaviours within WLFB subjected to destructive wind forces. Specifically the problem addressed represents a situation where systemic failure initiates in mechanical joints that anchor a roof substructure to the windward wall substructure of a typical low-rise North American WLFB. Results elucidate progression failure at the vulnerable roof to wall and resulting force redistributions within the complete structural system. Findings support the contention that current design practices are suboptimal.