Seismic Performance of Wood Buildings

Wood is a material with excellent seismic performance. It is light, its construction members show major deformation capacity and are systems of great redundancy. It is hardly a coincidence that one of the first seismic-resistant systems of the world’s construction history is composed of wood, such as the construction system known as the Gaiola Pombalina (developed after Lisbon’s earthquake in 1755).

Gaiola Pombalina

Image by 110 Histórias, 110 Objetos

Study about seismic performance

Construction with wood is known to be resistant to seismic activity. This has been demonstrated by observation of the impacts of more recent earthquakes. Studies have also proved the good seismic performance of construction with wood. In 2012, the University of Minho participated in a European study on the seismic performance of various timber construction systems. Four full-scale buildings, with 2 and 3 stories, were tested, and the observed damage were minimal.