Predicting the Fundamental Period of Light-Frame Wood Buildings

Abstract

This paper presents a research investigation of the period formulation in the national building code of Canada through testing and modeling of a light-frame wood structure. The experimental aspect of the study was focused on ambient vibration measurements, and a simple analytical shear-building model was developed to study the effect of multistory sway deflections. The results of the study showed that the calculated periods based on the code equation could be conservative if used to determine seismic base shear. Estimates for building stiffness are evaluated using the deflection equation for wood shearwalls from the current Canadian timber design standard. The calculated fundamental periods using the multiple-degree-of-freedom shear-building model are compared with the experimental results.