Static pushover tests and dynamic modal vibration tests were conducted on a post-tensioned timber frame within the framework of two doctoral theses, as well as part of the construction process of the House of Natural Resources. The post-tensioned timber frame is a hybrid system with hardwood columns and beams made of softwood with local hardwood reinforcement close to the beam-column joint. The connection between columns and beams is materialized via a tendon, which can be post-tensioned to different load levels. The goal of the conducted tests is to study the influence of the tendon force level and the influence of two bottom support types for the column on the structural behaviour under horizontal loading. The pushover tests on the post-tensioned timber frame showed a stiffness dependency on the tendon force. The tests additionally showed a favourable behaviour under horizontal loading, i.e., a large deformation capacity, a self-centering behaviour and a decreasing stiffness under increasing horizontal loading.
For the modal vibration tests, the frame was equipped with three different sensor sets: acceleration, tilt, and strain sensors. Furthermore, two different excitation techniques were implemented (impact hammer and shaker). Details on the test setup, excitation techniques, and the testing process are documented herein. During the dynamic tests, frequencies, damping ratios and mode shapes of the timber frame were investigated. To process the dynamic data an automated evaluation framework for dynamic vibration data is presented. The framework is able to determine eigenfrequencies of the frame structure with a low coefficient of variation, whereas the coefficient of variation is more than an order of magnitude higher for damping ratios. Additionally, mode shapes are identifiable with high consistency. Furthermore, the influence of the post-tension load and the bottom column support on the dynamic characteristics was analysed. From the dynamic point of view, there is a significant influence of the support condition, whereas the influence of the tendon force is negligible.