Three-Dimensional Model of Light Frame Wood Buildings. II: Experimental Investigation and Validation of Analytical Model

In this paper, a nonlinear three-dimensional finite element model, presented in Part I, capable of static and dynamic analysis is compared with the results of an experiment on a full-scale asymmetric light frame building. The predictive ability of the model is experimentally validated based on global and local response comparisons, using measures of energy dissipation, displacement, and load. Comparison of modeling and experimental test results show that the energy dissipation, hysteretic response, the load sharing between the walls, and the torsional response are estimated reasonably well. The model predicts higher order response parameters such as energy dissipation more accurately than load or displacement. Validated, this model provides a tool to investigate various aspects of light frame building behavior under static and dynamic loading.