Development of ductility-related modification factor for CLT-coupled wall buildings with replaceable shear link coupling beams.

The desire of using sustainable materials has reignited the interest in timber-based construction. Researchers and practitioners are developing novel timber-based structural solutions. Cross-laminated timber (CLT)-coupled wall is a recently proposed system for potential use in mid- and high-rise timber construction. The National Building Code of Canada, however, does not include this system and, consequently, the seismic force modification factors are not available. This study evaluated the ductility-related force modification factor (R_d) using the FEMA P-695 procedure. Nine archetype buildings were designed considering different design parameters: building storey height, CLT wall configuration, and coupling ratios. Using 30 ground motion records (bi-directional), rigorously selected for seismicity of Vancouver, BC, Canada, incremental dynamic analyses were performed. Collapse margin ratios were calculated to assess the adequacy of the trial R_d factors. Using an over-strength factor of 1.5, R_d = 4 is found to be acceptable for this system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]