Behavior of a One-Sixth Scale Wood-Framed Residential Structure under Wave Loading

Abstract

The goal of this study was to develop an understanding of the nature of wave loading on a wood-framed scale residential building model for a variety of building configurations and test conditions. Testing was performed on a 1/6th scale two-story wood-framed residential structure. The structure was impacted with waves and tested in both flooded and nonflooded conditions. The measured forces were mainly uplift forces due to wave loading, and resulting overturning moments. The qualitative analysis of the data showed that differences in structural stiffness throughout the structure will cause a different load distribution in the structure, e.g., overhanging eaves above the garage can provide unanticipated loading conditions, water traveling beneath the structure generates predominantly uplift forces, and the effect of waves breaking on or near the structure greatly increases the loading. The ratio of force from the windows closed condition to the windows open condition is approximately 2.5:1.