Influence of Pu-zuo on progressive collapse behavior of ancient southern Chinese timber buildings built in the Song and Yuan dynasties: Experimental Research. (July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hua, Yiwei; Chun, Qing
• Is Part Of: Engineering failure analysis. Volume 137(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-07
• Subjects: Ancient southern Chinese timber building -- Progressive collapse -- Collapse mechanism -- Pu-zuo -- Experimental Research; System failures (Engineering) -- Periodicals; Fracture mechanics -- Periodicals; Reliability (Engineering) -- Periodicals; Pannes -- Périodiques; Rupture, Mécanique de la -- Périodiques; Fiabilité -- Périodiques; Fracture mechanics; Reliability (Engineering); System failures (Engineering); Periodicals; Electronic journals; 620.112
• DOI: 10.1016/j.engfailanal.2022.106405
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1350-6307

Abstract

Highlights: Presence of Pu-zuo improves the load-bearing capacity of the structure. Lan-es and Yan-fangs are critical bearing components when the structure collapses. Presence of intermediate Pu-zuos improves the structural ductility. Ji-xin-zao Pu-zuo performs a better wholeness than Tou-xin-zao Pu-zuo. Abstract: Ancient southern Chinese timber buildings, built in the Song and Yuan dynasties (AD 960–1368), play an important role in Chinese cultural heritage. Nowadays, such buildings collapse more frequently than before due to local member failures. This study focuses on a special construction arrangement of ancient Chinese timber buildings, called Pu-zuo, and its effect in the progressive collapse of the building is experimentally studied in detail. Five 2-bay frames are designed for this experiment, one without Pu-zuo and four with Pu-zuos, considering different arrangements and types of Pu-zuo. A downward load is applied at the middle column until failure occurs. The progressive collapse mechanism of the frames and the mechanical performance of the joints and components during the collapse process are investigated. Finally, comparing the results between the five frames, the structural effect of Pu-zuo resisting the progressive collapse is studied. The results show that the main beam of the frames, called Lan-e, is a key component to transfer the load to the side columns when the structure collapses due to middle column failure. Compared with the frames without Pu-zuo, the bearing capacity of the frames with column and intermediate Pu-zuos increases by 138% ∼ 158% and the one of the frames with only column Pu-zuos increases by 45% ∼ 60%. Hence, intermediate Pu-zuos further improve the stiffness, bearing capacity and ductility of the structure in progressive collapse.