This project is supported under the Presidential Young Investigator Award Program (PYI). The project is initiated in FY 91 for a 5-year period. The objectives of the project are to conduct the following studies: (a) Analysis of more general types of pounding based on elastic and inelastic modeling of steel, RC, and masonry structures. The effect of various structural and excitation parameters on pounding response and damage will be clarified. Development of a very simple and practical tool to assess seismic performance of already existing buildings or newly designed buildings against possible pounding incidents. The method will be verified by correlating its results with pounding damage of existing buildings. Development of pounding mitigation scheme. Study on pounding of base isolation system. Shaking table tests for pounding of adjacent buildings of steel, R.C., and masonry construction. Existing test models will be modified and tested to study pounding using shake table. (b) Application of flexible connections for (EBF) Eccentrically Braced Frames to resist winds or moderate earthquakes. Real size experiments will be conducted to investigate ultimate strength and deformation, fatigue resistance, and failure modes of the link employing the flexible connection. Nonlinear analysis link element will be modified to simulate the behavior of the link with the flexible connection, and global behavior of an EFB employing the connection will be studied. Based on these, design method for the flexible connection as well as the EFB will be proposed. This research will enhance the understanding of building pounding in the urban context by developing techniques which minimize modelling inaccuracies and improve the knowledge base on eccentrically braced frame systems.
