SZISMIC PERFORMANCE OF LIGHT-TIMBER FRAMED BUILDINGS

Performance of low-rise, light-timber framed buildings observed in past earthquakes is presented. Post earthquake investigations of Alaska, San Fernando, and recent San Francisco earthquakes indicate that low-rise wood-framed buildings performed well provided they acted as a unit, had adequate racking walls, and were symmetric in plan. The stat-of-the-art of seismic design, practice and research in wood frame constructions is also provided. Material properties of wood as a structural element related to seismic design are reviewed. And finally, due to an adequate performance of timber framed houses in the past, wood construction as an alternative to the ordinary types of construction methods in Iran's earthquake prone areas are suggested