Paper Number 79 Shaking table tests of a PRES LAM frame with and without additional energy dissipating devices: Design and testing set-up. 2013 NZSEE Conference T. Smith, S. Pampanin University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand F. C. Ponzo, A. Di Cesare, M. Simonetti, D. Nigro University of Basilicata, Potenza, Italy D. Carradine BRANZ New Zealand ABSTRACT: Post-tensioned timber (PRES LAM) is a new form of seismic resistant construction which already has real building applications throughout New Zealand. The innovative high seismic performance system combines the use of precast concrete PRESSS technology and engineered wood products combining post-tensioning elements (providing re- centring) with large timber members. Additional steel dissipation devices are often also placed in order to provide additional strength and dissipative capacity. The following paper describes the design, fabrication and set-up of a dynamic testing campaign to be performed in the structural laboratory of the University of Basilicata (UNIBAS) in Potenza, Italy. The test specimen is a 2/3 rd scale, 3-storey post-tensioned timber frame and wall are to be studied both with and without the addition of dissipative steel angles which are designed to yield at a certain level of drift in order to provide the desirable ‘flag shaped’ hysteretic response. These steel angles release energy through hysteresis during movement thus increasing damping as well as providing additional strength. The ratio between post-tensioning and energy dissipation provided will be altered between tests in order to investigate their contribution to dynamic frame performance. The specimen will be subjected to an increasing level of seismic loading using a set of 7 natural earthquakes selected from the European Strong Motion database. This paper first describes the testing set-up, the fabrication of the test specimen and testing apparatus and the selection of cases which will be tested. 1 INTRODUCTION This paper presents the design and planned test set-up for the experimental investigation into the seismic performance of a 2/3rd scale three-storey post-tensioned timber frame building in the structural laboratory of the Di.S.G.G in Potenza, Italy. This work is part of a collaborative experimental campaign between the University of Basilicata (UNIBAS), in Potenza, Italy and the University of Canterbury, in Christchurch, New Zealand. The study will evaluate the feasibility of applying jointed ductile post-tensioning technology, originally conceived for use in concrete structures (Priestley et al. 1999), to glue laminated timber (glulam). The aim of the project is to evaluate the seismic performance of the system and further develop the system for use in multi-storey timber buildings. The post-tensioned timber concept (under the name PRES LAM) has been developed at the University of Canterbury and extensively tested (beam-column, wall/column-foundation, 3d frame and wall structure) in the structural laboratories of the university (Newcombe et al. 2010; Palermo et al. 2005; Smith et al. 2007). In Stage One of this project a full-scale beam-column joint was designed,