Seismic Analysis and Design of an LTF building complying with the New Zealand and Chilean seismic standards using novel expressions for the equivalent linear-elastic properties of the panels

This work presents the seismic design and analysis of a four-storey residential building constructed with OSB-sheathed light timber framed (LTF) walls. This building was used to develop a three-dimensional finite elementmodel used for modal spectral analysis according to the NCh433 Chilean and NZS1170.5 New Zealand standards.The LTF walls were modelled with shell elements implemented with equivalent properties which consider allthe sources of deformation of the panels under seismic actions via an equivalent thickness and equivalentshear modulus, combining and optimizing previous expressions available in the literature. After an iterativeprocess which involved changes in the location, length, and structural properties of the LTF walls, a structurewhich complied with the requirements of NCh433 and NZS1170.5, and the timber Chilean code NCh1198 andAustralian standard AS1720 (to be adopted in New Zealand), was defined. It was found that the inter-storeydrift limitations of the Chilean standard were the most restrictive code-requirements. It was concluded thatthe proposed equivalent elastic properties provide a simple and easy to implement tool for seismic analysis ofLTF buildings.