Projects › Current

NEES-II System Behavior Factors for Composite and Mixed Structural Systems

Principal Investigators: Roberto Leon, Georgia Institute of Technology; Jerome Hajjar, University of Illinois; Tiziano Perea, Georgia Institute of Technology; and Mark Denavit, University of Illinois.
This project is a NEESR-II award with the aim of developing system behavior factors for frames with composite beam-columns subjected to seismic loads. The system behavior factors to be developed in this research include the structural system (R) factor, lateral displacement amplification factor (C_d), and the system overstrength (Ω₀) factor. In order to reach these goals, analytical and experimental studies will be conducted on both rectangular and circular concrete-filled tubes (RCFT and CCFT) and encased (SRC) shapes. The analytical studies will include parametric fiber and finite element analytical models. The experimental part to be conducted at MAST includes testing of 24 full-scale slender composite beam-columns (10 CFT, 8 RCFT and 6 SRC) to evaluate their strength, ductility and stiffness under large lateral displacements. For more information, please refer to the project website.

NEESR-GC: Mitigation of Collapse Risk in Vulnerable Concrete Buildings

Principal investigators: Jack Moehle, University of California at Berkeley; Adolfo Matamoros, University of Kansas; and Julio Ramirez, Purdue University.
The project will use the multi-directional loading capabilities of the MAST advanced 6-DOF control technology to study column behavior as it has not been done to date. The proposed experimental program will include 24 full-scale, rectangular cross-section columns. The specimens tentatively will have dimensions of 18x18 in. Specimens will have ~4,000-psi concrete with Gr. 60 deformed bars