Dynamic properties of conventional beam-column timber structure under successive damage

Abstract

A full-scale, three-story conventional beam-column timber structure was tested in-situ to investigate the changes of natural frequencies due to progressing artificial damage. A total of 45 test steps were adopted in the execution of this experiment and analysis. Columns were cut by saw and/or totally removed at each testing step in order to simulate different levels of damage. A three-dimensional finite element (FE) model of the test structure was established and applied to predict its natural frequency in each of the 45 test steps. Both the FE simulation and the testing results show similar tendencies in most test cases, however they slightly deviate from each other in some particular test cases. Damage sensitivity, as well as the influence of temperature and humidity on the natural frequency was also examined. The results and conclusions from this study can benefit the emerging research field of structural health monitoring.