Alternative Load Path Analyses for Mid-Rise Post and Beam Mass Timber Building

Abstract

In addition to gravity and lateral loads, there is a broad range of events that may impact a building during its service life. Amongst these, extreme events such as accidents and natural catastrophes can cause significant damage with a risk of propagation through the structure that can lead to disproportionate collapse. Current standards and guidelines that give direct and indirect approaches to ensure structural robustness are limited to concrete, steel, and light-frame wood structures. Mass timber buildings, however are a new method of construction, and existing advanced analysis techniques which are generally not adopted by practitioners. This paper uses linear static alternative load path analysis to investigate the performance of a six-storey post and beam mass timber building following different column loss scenarios. The approach enables to identify possible collapse resistance mechanisms and load distribution of the system after element loss. The results help improving typical connection detailing designed for gravity and latera loads, hence preventing disproportionate collapse.