Abstract
We have conducted static loading tests of plane frames of a two-storied traditional town house in Kyoto, Japan. In our study, we have developed a loading system in order to apply large shear deformation angle of 0.2 rad. Based on our tests, some new findings have been acquired as follows. (a) A sharp decrease in story shear force due to shear failure of the mud wall is not observed. (b) Concentration of deformation or damage in a specific story will be prevented by the existence of pillars. (c) While houses will not slide as one-body system, some columns with small axial force move independently. (d) Some phenomena neglected in the current seismic design in Japan have been well recognized.
