Connections for Timber–Concrete Hybrid Building: Experimental and Numerical Model Results

Abstract

In seismically active regions, the use of timber–reinforced concrete (RC) hybrid construction can overcome the structural limitations that occur with timber construction. This paper investigates three connections used in the timber frame–RC core hybrid system: (1) RC wall-timber beam connection, (2) timber column-base connection, and (3) timber beam-timber column connection. A series of monotonic and reverse-cyclic loading tests were conducted on three replicate connections. Salient features of each connection (i.e., stiffness, ductility, and energy dissipation) were computed from the monotonic loading test results and were used to set the backbone curve of the analytical Pinching4 hysteretic model. Furthermore, the Pinching4 hysteretic models were calibrated with the reverse-cyclic loading test results. Utility of the Pinching4 hysteretic models was shown with performance prediction of a portal frame test. The portal frame results showed good agreement between the finite element model using the calibrated Pinching4 hysteretic models and experimental test results.