Introduction

1. Nonlinear Modeling of Precast Concrete Cladding Subsystems for High SeismicityRegionsYujia Liu | University of California, San Diego (UCSD) | y8liu@ucsd.eduProject PI: Dr. Tara Hutchinson | Mentor: Dr. Tara Hutchinson | Host Institution: UCSD Testing Outcomes The REU research project will contribute to the development and dissemination of design procedures for cladding subsystems in the areas that have high seismic risks. The test data can be utilized to generate fragility curves for the reference of the retrofit evaluation of existing buildings. Also, the test results will be compared to the existing building codes, therefore to verify codes for the purposes of economy and aesthetics. The analytical models developed during the summer can be applied to blast loading analysis. Future Usage / Application The overall project aims to advance the understanding of a total building systems performance, including structural and nonstructural systems, through full-scale testing (a five-story building on the Englekirk Center shake table) under bi-hazard conditions – ground motion and earthquake induced fires. The test data are to be used to validate nonlinear simulation tools, as well as performance-based seismic design strategies. Further information For more information on this project , please contact Dr. Tara Hutchinson (tahutchinson@ucsd.edu ) and Dr. Kurt McMullin (kurt.mcmullin@sjsu.edu) Introduction Earthquake-induced fire has caused extensive loss of life and huge economic losses by crippling buildings and lifeline structures. This project is a part of the NSF funded NEES landmark project, “Full-Scale Structural and Nonstructural Building System Performance during Earthquakes and Post-Earthquake Fire”. Materials and Methods The precast concrete cladding subsystems are categorized as nonstructural components. The REU 2011 summer project will focus on design, analysis and construction of the cladding panels and connectors of the five-story building under seismic conditions. The research will focus on effects of connectors’ ductility, effects of acceleration demands in all directions, and cladding-building system interaction under varying earthquake intensities. Some problems will be investigated specifically, such as lack of redundancy in the current cladding subsystem designs, and sizes of seismic gaps separating corner panels. Literature Cited Graphics Acknowledgements In additional to Dr. Tara Hutchinson, and her PhD students Michelle Chen and Xiang Wang from UCSD, I would like to thank Dr. Kurt MucMullin from San Jose State University for his guidance on cladding design, and Yoshua Neuman, Diana Lin and Cecilia Luu for being great teammates.