Hydrodynamic Tests on Physical Models of Scaled Wood Frame Shear-Wall Residential Buildings

A physical model study was performed to examine the response of two 1:6 scale wood-frame coastal residential structures subjected to storm surge and waves. An on-grade and an elevated specimen were tested. Several in-air static and dynamic structural tests (combined lateral load-displacement and free vibration tests, ambient vibration and forced vibration tests) and destructive hydrodynamic tests under regular waves with varying water depth and wave heights were performed. During structural tests, lateral load-displacement and acceleration data were gathered for structural characterization (strength, stiffness, frequency, mode shape, and damping). During hydrodynamic tests, water depth, wave height, and velocity were measured in the wave basin and uplift pressure, force, and acceleration were measured on the specimens. The data gathered may help engineers and numerical modelers better understand the wave-structure interaction, damage progression, and help in improving design criteria of coastal residential structures subjected to hurricane overland surge and wave loading.