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Seismic Research on Masonry
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New Seismic Activity
The latest seismic activity is not about ground
motion: it’s about how building codes, research, and knowledge-based
organizations are all working toward improving masonry's performance
during earthquakes.
As the model codes have converged into a single document, the International
Building Code (IBC), seismic design criteria have taken on increased
importance in parts of the United States not formerly considered
at risk of earthquakes. In response to this change, which brings
with it stricter requirements for construction for a larger part
of the country, two extensive new research projects have been delineated.
Also, the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, a collection
of scientists, engineers, architects, and emergency response leaders
of the earthquake community, has been reauthorized.
Seismic Research on Masonry
At PCA’s Spring 2007 Meeting of the Cements for Masonry (CMS)
Subcommittee, members recommended supporting two seismic-related
research projects. One of them is a National Science Foundation
(NSF)-approved project entitled “Performance-Based Design
of New Masonry Structures.” The research will study brick
veneer-clad walls of concrete masonry or wood frame. The Large High
Performance Outdoor Shake Table (LHPOST) at the University of California
San Diego will subject individual wall specimens, as well as full
structures, to simulated seismic loads.
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| CMU walls with ties and clay masonry veneer. |
There are several notable aspects of this project. It was the only
masonry-related research project chosen for funding by NSF last
year. The government backing means that industry has a partner to
make its research dollars go further, and the Brick
Industry Association (BIA) and the National
Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) are other masonry industry
organizations contributing to the project. Also, the research team
comprises many universities and various disciplines. Finally, an
education component is included for disseminating results to college-level
students and teachers and all ages of the public.
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| A masonry structure being tested in a reaction
frame. |
The other research project is “System-Level Seismic Research
of Concrete Masonry Buildings.” This work will focus on evaluating
the robustness of masonry structures in resisting seismic forces using
scale model testing of structures, full scale tests of masonry elements,
and simulation models. The proposal theorizes that masonry is currently
under-valued as a system and is unfairly penalized by building codes
even though its performance would often indicate otherwise. This project,
too, received support from additional masonry industry organizations.
Additional government funding is sought to enable the masonry industry’s
research dollars to have maximum impact.
NEHRP Reauthorization
PCA, working with the National
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) coalition, secured
reauthorization of the program. New legislation designated the National
Institute of Standards (NIST), under the Department of Commerce
and Technology, as the lead federal agency and authorized the creation
of an advisory committee.
NIST’s director has named 15 distinguished academic, industry,
and government experts to serve on the NEHRP Advisory Committee
on Earthquake Hazards Reduction. Cement industry input into NEHRP
activities ensures appropriate treatment of mass systems like concrete
and masonry, which respond to seismic loads different from other
structural systems.
These developments point to masonry’s continuing importance
for structural systems of the nation’s building stock. In
certain building sectors, such as low-rise structures, masonry remains
a material of choice for many reasons, and the accompanying research
will serve to support safe, affordable designs in masonry.
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