Full-Scale Tests on the Horizontal Hysteretic Behavior of a Single-Span Timber Frame

In a column-beam-bracket (CBB) sets timber frame, the columns are connected with beams using mortise-tenon joints and the columns rest directly on stone bases. To study the horizontal hysteretic behavior of such structures, a single-span full-scale model was constructed. By analyzing the load-displacement hysteretic curves, envelope curves, and dissipation capacity under different vertical loads, it is found that the timber frame is a self-centering structure with high ductility and weak hysteretic energy dissipation, the rotational deformation of the timber frame is mainly caused by the column rotation. The column rotation and the frictional sliding of components are the primary factors causing the significant stiffness degradation of the timber frame. The frictional sliding is also the major source of initial energy dissipation. The vertical loads show a linear growth relationship with the elastic stiffness and maximum horizontal force for each stage in the simplified four-stage linear model.