Experimental study on the influences of structural characteristics and vertical load on the seismic performance of zhutou puzuo

Investigating the seismic performance of puzuo is critical for protecting the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda. In this study, the influence of different structural characteristics and vertical loads on the seismic performance of Zhutou Puzuos was investigated. The Zhutou Puzuos in the outer circles on the second to fifth open floors were tested under cyclic loading. The test results indicated that the dominating deformation of the Zhutou Puzuo was rotational in the positive direction, whereas both rotational and slip deformations contributed to the deformation in the negative direction. The energy-dissipation and load-bearing capacities increased with an increase in the number of pu, which is a typical structural characteristic. The position of the initial slip varied as the vertical load increased during the early stage of the test. The increasing ratios of the negative bearing capacities of the puzuo joints on the second, third, fourth, and fifth open floors were 2.89, 3.93, 5.39, and 1.17, respectively, as the vertical load increased by 3.7 times. Additionally, the force transmission path of the vertical load included the nidaogong and huagong orientation with the majority of the loads transmitted by nidaogong orientations. This study provides valuable experimental data and analysis methods for investigating the seismic performance of the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda.