Damage behaviour of taiwanese traditional Dieh-Dou timber frame

Based on the shaking table experiments conducted on two different structural forms (Symmetric and Asymmetric form), the damage pattern of the traditional Dieh-Dou timber structure was studied. Using the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake time history (TCU 084), roof loads of 17, 26 and 35kN were applied to the specimens under uni-directional excitation mode. Results shown that structural damage for both structural forms generally occur from 336 gal onwards. When friction between the mortise-tenon connections could no longer withstand the large seismic force, amplified rocking and torsion intensity lead to inelastic deformation. Damage pattern all begins from the bottom Dou members, spreading from the front and subsequently moving upwards to the upper Dou, horizontal Gong and traverse Shu members. More structural strengthening is recommended on the bottom Dou and front section members for future post-seismic repair.