 RESEARCH FOCUS
In our cities, buildings are constructed in clusters (the city block). Ideally, they should be designed to resist earthquake forces as clusters of buildings, because the response of one building can affect the response of neighboring buildings.
However, the interactions between densely spaced buildings are not captured in current design practice, because buildings are typically designed as isolated structures. Soil-structure interaction (SSI) effects on closely spaced low- and medium-rise buildings are poorly understood.
This project will advance fundamental science and knowledge in engineering with substantial intellectual benefits to both geotechnical and structural engineering disciplines. Both disciplines will contribute to and benefit from the development and deployment of an integrated performance-based seismic design and a robust loss-estimation methodology.
ABOUT THE TESTING
Two scale-model structures on dry sand were tested July 13, 2009 to Aug. 14, 2009 at the University of California, Davis research site. More information can be found at NEESCentral.
UPCOMING EVENTS - Next testing cycle planned for November, 2009.
VIEW MEDIA : [test photos] | [test video] | [support materials]
Additional Information :
The NEES Geotechnical Centrifuge at UC Davis - [download]
by Daniel W. Wilson, Ross W. Boulanger, Xin Feng, Bernd Hamann, Boris Jeremic, Bruce L. Kutter, Kwan-Liu Ma, Carlos Santamarina, Kenneth S. Sprott, Steven A. Velinsky, Gunther Weber, S. J. Ben Yoo
The Seven Ages of Centrifuge Modelling - [download]
by W. H. Craig |
