Seismic solution based on the use of cross-laminated timber (clt) panels with sliding joints as infilled earthquake bracing system for rc framed architectures

Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) has gaining more and more attention in the research and professional field as a sustainable and promising construction system for mid- and high-rise structures. The need of buildings higher than that usually built with CLT has pushed the research towards the development of innovative hybrid techniques in which steel framed structures incorporate CLT shear walls. This concept may be potentially extended to existing RC framed buildings where infilled CLT shear walls may constitute the base for an integrated seismic and energy retrofit solution. In order to investigate this potentiality, this paper present a preliminary experimental study focused on the diagonal strut behaviour of CLT panels. In particular, diagonal compression tests on 3-ply panels have been carried out also by simulating the confinement effect provided by the structural frame. A comparison with the results of similar tests on CLT panels with different number of layers and thickness has been also provided. The results of this research have demonstrated that CLT panels has a higher strength and stiffness if confined. Then, the confinement effect provided by the RC frame on the infill should be accurately considered in the strengthening design.