Timber framed masonry buildings, an earthquake resistance influenced architecture

Timber framed masonry buildings represent one of the earthquake resistant structure types in the world with remarkable architecture. In some countries timber framed walls are visible and were built most for aesthetical and architectural purposes (Germany, France, Czech Republic, etc.) while in others they accomplish a specific structural function regarding earthquake resistance (Portugal, Italy, Turkey, etc.). Usually these buildings weren't built based on design regulations, given the fact that in some situations (i.e. Turkey) they date since 15th century, but it was observed how people adapted their houses to local seismicity and made the structure as earthquake resistant as possible corresponding to available knowledge level. The way architecture deals with structural engineering constraints, namely in what concerns earthquake resistance, will be discussed in the present paper. Some situations will be emphasized to show how earthquake protection influences the construction details of local type of timber framed masonry building and how other countries' culture influenced the local construction architecture.