9416524 Rihal The performance and behavior of non-structural components in instrumented buildings during the Northridge earthquake of January 17, 1994 is investigated. The focus is placed on the seismic design implictions/lessons learned. The proposed research on the influence of the interior as well as exterior building components on the overall seismic behavior of building systems is analyzed. Included is also an investigation of the contribution of non-structural wall components to the overall earthquake resistance of building systems as well as their influence on the inter-story drift behavior. All available data on damage of interior as well as exterior building components, including shelving and contents, will be screened, categorized and analyzed. Available data on the costs of repair and retrofit of non-structural building components will also be studied. Case-studies of two buildings that suffered significant non-structural damage in addition to structural damage will be constructed. The first one is a instrumentedd seven story hotel building suffered not only severe structural damage but also significant non-structural damage. A second case- study will be cladding and connections in steel framed buildings, especially with moment-resisting frames. The results and final products of this research will be improved understanding of the contribution of non-structural component to the overall earthquake resistance of building systems. The quantitative results obtained will help develop improved seismic design criteria for non-structural components including guidelines for their repair and retrofit. This is a Northridge earthquake project. ***
