Seismic protection technologies for timber structures: a review

Timber structures traditionally provided satisfactory seismic performance due to multiple known features. However, the consequences of the last major earthquakes have clearly proofed that seismic timber design must further improve. In addition, nowadays timber structures target taller heights and so they face much larger seismic demands. All this together has made seismic protection technologies (SPTs) to emerge as a hotspot in timber engineering research, devoting more than 80 publications only in the last decade. All types of SPTs share the common principle that, rather than increase the lateral resistance of a structure, they are focused on reducing the seismic demands and such reduction has been reported as large as 90% and above. Although many distinct devices and techniques are intended to this end, SPTs applied to timber structures may be grouped into supplemental damping, seismic isolation, and rocking systems. Apart from the copious scientific production in the field, knowledge has been published in very distinct niches, which makes a linkage of state-of-the-art very difficult, as well as an analysis of current challenges and limitations. This review attempts to provide so after explaining first the basic principles of these technologies so that they are comprehensible for a timber engineer or researcher not necessarily familiar with all structural dynamics’ underlying concepts. An outlook for future research trends is expected towards cost-effectiveness, rate-effects, engagement of devices, and design guidelines which may expand these technologies bringing timber structures into higher levels of seismic performance.