The goal of work described is to predict how forces caused by wind flow through the fabric ofprescriptively designed low-rise wood light-frame buildings. Primarily activities to date consist of nondestructivestructural experiments on a complete building, non-destructive and destructive tests onisolated segments of wall, and creation and verification of detailed structural numerical models of thebuilding and wall segments. Once the numerical modelling techniques are fully verified they will be usedto artificially construct and load other buildings that match existing and proposed prescriptivespecifications within Part 9 of the National Building Code of Canada for construction of light-framebuildings. This will yield understanding of the structural adequacy of buildings constructed to minimumcode specifications. If the specifications are inadequate remedies will be proposed. Verified models willalso be used to assist creation of new rules for design of engineered wood light-frame buildings inCanada. The test building is being statically and dynamically loaded under controlled conditions andmonitored during natural wind events, with repeated observations as the stage of construction progressesfrom a skeleton sheathed with Oriented Strand-Board and having only two small door openings, to afinished state. Progressive stages of construction assess effects of adding exterior rigid insulation,internal plasterboard linings to outside walls and the ceiling, interior partition walls, and windows. Detailednumerical models are constructed using the SAP2000 finite element software. Results so far indicate thataddition of exterior rigid insulation, internal plasterboard linings to outside walls and the ceiling are allstages that significantly stiffen the complete system and alter how structural loading induced forces flowthough it. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2010.
展开▼
