Seismic vulnerability assessment of historical timber temples: a case study of the Hanging Temple in China

The Hanging Temple, a representative of a traditional wooden structure in northern China, is affixed to the cliff and closely connected to the rock, complicating its structural analysis due to uneven foundation height and irregular lateral stiffness. This paper adopts a simplified simulation method based on shear plastic hinge Dougong (DG), modified mortise–tenon joint (MTJ), and compressive constitutive model of wood for the example of a Hanging Temple in northern China. A finite element model of the Hanging Temple was established based on field research and mapping results. Its structural dynamic response to rare earthquakes was studied in depth to assess the structure’s seismic performance. The results show that the simplified simulation method can accurately and effectively simulate the plastic behavior of DG and MTJ. Under 3D ground motion excitation, structural deformation, and stresses were mainly concentrated at the foundations’ embedded ends. In particular, the dynamic response of the bottom columns and cantilever beams is most significant. The Hanging Temple’s force situation differs from that of general wooden structures. The existence of cantilever beams leads to the vertical asymmetry of the structure, which causes the uneven distribution of stiffness (the Y-direction stiffness is much more minor than the X-direction stiffness), and the middle columns, which are connected to multiple beams and DG, become the primary distribution points of stiffness, and are subject to large eccentric loads and tensile stresses, especially at the top of the columns where they are connected to the DG, which bear more internal forces in transferring and dispersing seismic forces. Historical wooden structures are a significant part of the world’s architectural heritage. Establishing an accurate seismic performance assessment model to evaluate these historical buildings is still challenging. This study provides an effective method and basis for seismic performance assessment and modeling of ancient wooden structures.