1| NEES Network Site Activities
1.0 Network Summary
Purposed to improve the understanding of earthquakes and tsunamis and their effects on our nation’s infrastructure, NSF created The George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES). NEES is a shared national network of 14 experimental facilities, collaborative tools, and earthquake simulation software. Together, these resources provide the means for collaboration and discovery in the form of more advanced research based on experimentation and computational simulations of the ways buildings, bridges, utility systems, coastal regions, and geomaterials perform during seismic events. At the core of NEES are fourteen geographically-distributed research sites, each offering unparalleled experimental capabilities. The laboratory types include:
Shake Table Facilities University of Minnesota University at Buffalo, SUNY Geotechnical Centrifuge University of California, San Diego Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute University of Nevada Reno University of California, Davis Large-Scale Structural Field Experimentation and Monitoring Cornell University University of California, Los Angeles Lehigh University University of California, Santa Barbara University at Buffalo, SUNY University of Texas, Austin University of California, Berkeley Tsunami Wave Basin University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign Oregon State University
Through the results of cutting-edge experimentation across the network, NEES strives to develop and implement effective means of earthquake and tsunami risk mitigation. In addition, NEES looks to educate the community through the development strategic education, training, and outreach events. Though NEES looks to become the prototypical example of dissemination of knowledge to a broad range of audiences, the success of NEES is dependent on the quality and excellence of research done at the site level. Volume 3 of the NEEScomm annual report details the accomplishments and activities during the 2013 fiscal year across the network. This volume includes highlights of the unique capabilities of each of the fourteen facilities across the network, network financial and metric summaries for fiscal year 2012 and 2013, and site activity narratives. Additionally, highlights from selected projects are included to emphasize the impact of the research occurring across the network.
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Volume 2: NEES Network Site Activities
1.1 Facility Highlights Introduction
This section contains highlights of the capabilities present across the network. The descriptions of the capabilities are separated in the five major types of facilities: Shake Table Facilities, Large Scale Laboratories, Geotechnical Centrifuges, Mobile/Field Laboratories, and the Tsunami Research Facility. All fourteen of the NEES equipment sites are represented and demonstrates the state-of-the-art capabilities of the network.
1.1.0 Shake Table Facilities – Earthquakes on Demand!
NEES@Buffalo – Shake Table and Large Scale Structural Testing Facility Hosted within the University at Buffalo’s Structural Engineering and Earthquake Simulation Laboratory (SEESL), the NEES@Buffalo facility features twin reconfigurable, 0-100Hz, six degree-of-freedom shake tables with a capacity of 50 metric-tons each (Figure 1). The tables are equipped with extension frames providing a 7 meter x 7 meter deployable surface area. The versatility of the NEES@Buffalo facility allows for the twin shake tables to be rapidly repositioned along a 38 meter-long trench (accommodating a maximum specimen length of 36.5 meters). Additionally, when used in conjunction with the 9 meter-high reaction wall, the facility supports Real Time Dynamic Hybrid Testing (RTDHT). This unique one-of-a-kind capability permits researchers to seamlessly integrate analytical models with large-scale dynamic tests, permitting a more complete investigation of full-scale structural systems than was previously possible.
Figure 1: Shake Table 1 at NEES@Buffalo during the “NEESR-GC: Seismic Risk Mitigation for Ports” project. (Rix et al., CMS-0530478)
2 NEES@UNR – Four (Anywhere) On The Floor The NEES@UNR facility is highlighted with four large shake-tables; three bi-axial shake tables and one six-degree-of-freedom table. The tables are 4.3 meters x 4.5 meters and operate between 0 and 50 Hz with a maximum payload capacity of 45 metric-tons. The facility is capable of testing conventional structural and non-structural systems by using the biaxial tables in large-table-mode, and operating them as a single unit. Exclusive to the NEES@UNR facility, the tables also have the flexibility to be positioned anywhere in the laboratory, which enables testing of long, spatially distributed, structural and geotechnical systems. Researchers have utilized these capabilities for the dynamic testing of a 110- ft long, four span concrete bridge (Figure 2).
Figure 2: Shake Table 1, 2, and 3 at the NEES@UNR facility during the “NEESR-SG; Seismic Performance of Bridge Systems with Conventional and Innovative Materials” project. (Saiidi et al., CMMI #0420347)
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NEES@UCSD – The Sky Is The Limit Offering the largest shake table in the U.S., the NEES@UCSD boasts the largest outdoor shake table in the world. LHPOST (the Large, High-Performance Outdoor Shake Table) has been designed with performance characteristics that permit the accurate reproduction of strong near-source earthquake ground motions for the seismic testing of systems at full-scale or very large-scale. The table is 7.6 meters x 12.2 meters and operates between 0 and 33 HZ with a maximum payload capacity of 2000 metric tons. Having virtually no vertical limitations, LHPOST has enabled the testing of structures that could not be accommodated inside a conventional laboratory. Seismic testing of full scale wind turbines, multi-story structures, and various other large-scale building systems is now possible due to the capabilities provided by NEES@UCSD.
Figure 3: The Large High-Performance Outdoor Shake Table (LHPOST) at NEES@UCSD
4 1.1.1 Large Scale Structural Laboratories – Force to be Reckoned With!
NEES@Cornell – Lifelines Testing NEES@Cornell, known as the Large-Scale Lifelines Testing Facility (Figure 4), is a unique, world-class resource for research, education, and outreach focused on underground lifeline response to large ground deformation and the seismic performance of highly flexible above-ground structures using advanced materials and construction. The site consists of a large-scale test basin driven by large stroke actuators to simulate large ground deformations as caused by severe earthquakes and a storage/conveyor system for moving and storing soil in a controlled environment. Earthquakes can rupture underground pipelines causing disruption of vital services such as water supplies and oil and natural gas transmission pipelines. The breaching of gas lines can also result in fires. The combined effect of loss of water supply and fires from gas lines can be catastrophic; even life threatening. NEES@Cornell’s experience, versatility, creativity and facilities allow it to support very challenging research projects that address these problems.
Figure 4: Lifelines Testing Area at NEES@Cornell
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NEES@Lehigh – Real-Time Multi-Directional Hybrid Testing The NEES facility at Lehigh University specializes in real-time multi-directional (RTMD) hybrid seismic testing for earthquake simulation of large-scale structural systems. This technology permits the study of complete structural systems, as opposed to individual components, which provides a great deal more information on the behavior of structures subjected to earthquake forces. Located in the Center for Advanced Technology for Large Structural Systems (ATLSS) (Figure 5), NEES@Lehigh combines real-time multi-directional hybrid seismic testing with real-time analytical simulations, to examine the seismic behavior of large-scale structural components, structural sub assemblages, and super assemblages (systems). This is achieved through the combined use of dynamic actuators, a reaction wall, a strong floor, and high-performance computing. This lab is also designed to support multi-site distributed hybrid testing methods where the substructures involved are at different geographic locations connected by the NEES network.
Figure 5: The NEES@Lehigh Strong Wall During the “NEESR-SG: Self-Centering Damage-Free Seismic-Resistant Steel Frame Systems” project. (Sause, CMMI-0420974)
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NEES@Buffalo – The Large Scale Structural Testing Facility-Enabling Real-Time Dynamic Hybrid Testing The University at Buffalo’s Structural Engineering and Earthquake Simulation Laboratory (SEESL) is equipped with a large reaction wall (175 m2) and floor (340 m2). The strong wall and floor testing area enable a one-of-a-kind two-story nonstructural component simulator (NCS) (Figure 6) and a large uni- axial geotechnical laminar box (5m x 2.75 m x 6 m) (Figure 6). The large testing area and vast capabilities permit the NEES@Buffalo facility to perform extremely diverse and versatile experimentation, including Real-Time Dynamic Hybrid Testing (RTDHT). RTDHT combines shake table and/or dynamic force experiments on substructures with computer simulations of the remainder of the structure. This provides a more complete picture of how earthquakes would affect large structural systems such as buildings and bridges, without the need to physically test the entire structure.
Figure 6: The Nonstructural Component Figure 7: The Uni-Axial Geotechnical Laminar Box Simulator at NEES@Buffalo at NEES@Buffalo
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NEES@Berkeley – Defining Hybrid Testing The University of California, Berkeley focuses on modeling large‐scale structural systems and experimental evaluation of their response to earthquakes as shown in Figure 8. One key feature of the NEES@Berkeley site is a Reconfigurable Reaction Wall (RRW) that can be assembled in many configurations accommodating needs of researchers. This earthquake simulation facility can accommodate full-scale or close to full-scale structural specimens in sophisticated setups controlling up to 12 actuators simultaneously. The laboratory is capable of conducting conventional and hybrid simulation testing in quasi-static or dynamic (real-time) environments. The site supported the development of a new generation of hybrid testing methods that smoothly integrate physical testing with simulations. First generation mixed‐mode hybrid simulation utilizing novel ideas of switching between displacement and force‐control for stiffening structural components was developed and utilized to simultaneously test flexible and stiff substructures at NEES@Berkeley. Many NEESR projects have now utilized the advantages of geographically distributed hybrid simulation to allow simultaneous testing of several physical substructures located at other NEES sites. Hybrid simulation is instrumental in large-scale seismic testing of coupled structural systems since their dimensions and weight usually exceed the limitations of shaking tables. In recent years, development of real-time or close to real-time hybrid simulations on full-scale or near full-scale models is one of the main objectives of the research conducted at the facility. One of the major recent accomplishments of the site is a development of the Real Time Hybrid Simulation Platform which elevated the site to new level of research by enabling long- stroke and high-velocity hybrid simulation of full-scale specimens in real time. In addition to that, the site is continuously working on advanced methods of sensing and measurements to help projects in expanding their data recording horizons. The research activities of the site have been featured in many media productions with recent examples being ‘Earthquake: Life on a Dynamic Planet’, an IMAX type show at the California Academy of Science (115,735 viewers based on July 2012 accounts), ‘Scatter, Adapt, and Remember: How Humans Will Survive a Mass Extinction’, a book written by Annalee Newitz, and ‘Top Ten Natural Disasters’, a National Geographic show, targeted for broadcasting this fall.
Figure 8: Sample images of projects conducted at NEES@Berkeley.
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NEES@Illinois – Solving the Boundary Condition Problem The NEES lab at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (Figure 9) is defined by multi-axial full-scale substructure testing and simulation (MUST-SIM). To conduct this type of testing, the NEES@Illinois facility is equipped with three large modular six-degree-of-freedom Loading and Boundary Condition Boxes (LBCB) that allow for precise application of complex load and boundary conditions. In this facility, full-scale structures or structural subassemblages may be subjected to complex loading and deformation states at multiple connection points on the structural specimen, including the connection between the structure and its foundation. In addition to interactive local or remote control, the LBCBs can impose motions on structural specimens that are determined from the results of concurrently running numerical models of the test specimen and the surrounding structure/foundation/soil system through employing hybrid simulation. Additional actuators available within the Newmark Structural Engineering Laboratory (NSEL) enable additional loading and deformation to be imposed on the structure in a synchronized fashion with the LBCBs, enabling loading patterns such as interstory deformation or intraspan gravity loading. Dense arrays of state-of-the-art, non-contact instrumentation allow near real- time model updating for the model-based simulation. If a researcher needs mixed-mode control or hybrid testing of full-scale substructures, the NEES@Illinois facility is one of the few options available for researchers.
Figure 9: LBCB’s at Illinois on the strong wall.
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NEES@Minnesota – The Sky Is The Limit The NEES facility at the University of Minnesota consists of the multi-axial subassemblage testing (MAST) system. Integrated with advanced six-degrees-of-freedom control technology, the MAST system bends, twists, shears, compresses and/or stretches test specimens in up to six-degrees-of-freedom, using mixed-mode control. The facility allows testing of structures or components up to two stories high at full scale, or higher at partial scale. The facility is especially useful for testing requiring the application of axial load while displacing the structure laterally in one or two perpendicular directions. The MAST system is capable of applying up to 1.32 million pounds of vertical force and nearly 900,000 pounds of horizontal force. Structures up to 28.75 feet (8.7 m) in height and 20x20 feet (6.1x6.1 m) in plan can be tested at the MAST Laboratory. The NEES@Minnesota facility has the ability to conduct multi-axial quasi-static cyclic testing and quasi-static hybrid testing on large-scale structural subassemblages including portions of beam-column frame systems, walls, bridge piers, abutments, towers, and other structures.
Figure 10: The MAST system at the NEES@Minnesota facility.
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1.1.2 Geotechnical Centrifuges – Accelerating Research
NEES@UCDavis – Spinning Large NEES@UC Davis maintains a world-class centrifuge facility (Figure 11) with advanced equipment, modeling techniques, instrumentation, and networking. The centrifuge features the largest radius and platform area of any geotechnical centrifuge in the U.S.; it is among the largest in the world. Capable of carrying a five-ton payload to 75 g at its effective radius of 8.5 m coupled with the ability to create intricate and heavily instrumented models, NEES@UC Davis remains unique among centrifuge facilities. The research conducted using the centrifuge helps to advance the knowledge and practice of geotechnical and earthquake engineering by performing and hosting fundamental and applied research. NEES developments capitalize on the size of the centrifuge and revolutions in instrumentation and information technology to enable generation of higher resolution information (control, sensors, and images) and more realistic physical models, providing unambiguous experimental data for assessing Model Based Simulation theories.
Figure 11: The Large Radius Centrifuge at the NEES@UCDavis facility
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NEES@RPI – Spinning Fast The centrifuge facility at NEES@RPI hosts a 150 g-ton centrifuge (Figure 12) with an in-flight platform radius of 3.0 meters which is capable of spinning up to 160 g. This “medium size” centrifuge at NEES@RPI is specifically purposed for smaller models that allow for short model preparation time. Because models are built and tested quickly, several models can be constructed focusing on a broad range of parameters enabling the completion of detailed parametric research analyses. In addition to the centrifuge, the facility offers a variety of state-of-the-art equipment to facilitate centrifuge testing including an in-flight robot, 1D and 2D shakers, a split container/shaker, high-speed camera, and a multitude of advance sensors. Researchers conduct physical model simulation of soil and soil-structure systems subjected to in-flight earthquake shaking through the use of this equipment. Additionally, the combination of equipment and expert technical support allow researchers to conduct physical model simulation of soil and soil-structure systems subjected to in-flight earthquake shaking while gathering unique, in-flight, soil property data.
Figure 12: The Centrifuge at the NEES@RPI Facility
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1.1.3 Field Experimentation and Monitoring – The World Is Their Laboratory
NEES@UCLA – Dynamic Evaluation of Real Structures NEES@UCLA is a state of the art mobile field laboratory developed to enable comprehensive experimental seismic performance characterization of full scale structural and foundation systems. This mobile laboratory is equipped with two large, unidirectional eccentric mass shakers each with 100 kips peak force capacity, an omnidirectional eccentric mass shaker with a 20 kip peak force capacity, a linear arbitrary waveform inertial shaker with 75kips peak force capacity, and a portable eccentric mass shaker (Figure 13). The NEES@UCLA arsenal also includes instrumentation for ambient, earthquake, and forced vibration monitoring as well as a complete portable infrastructure to support field research.
Through use of this equipment, operated by the specially trained NEES@UCLA staff, it is possible to collect field test data that provide significant new insights into the nonlinear response of full scale structural systems as well as soil structure interaction effects. The expertise of the NEES@UCLA staff coupled with the equipment’s mobility also allows for prompt response for post-earthquake reconnaissance. By performing structural monitoring in a post-earthquake environment, NEES@UCLA is able to collect information on current construction practices that shapes building codes, and is invaluable to the engineering community.
Figure 13: A Suite of Shakers Apart of the NEES@UCLA Facility
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NEES@UTexas – Earthquakes on Wheel A set of five large-scale mobile shakers, also known as vibroseis vehicles, are the primary assets of the NEES@UTexas facility that specializes in dynamic field testing of geotechnical and structural systems. The five mobile-shakers, T-Rex (Tri-Axial) (Figure 14), Liquidator (Low Frequency), Thumper( High Frequency / Urban), Raptor (P-Wave), and Rattler (Shear-Wave), enable NEES@UTexas to conduct a wide variety of field investigation that could not have previously been accomplished. In a highly controlled and active manner, the mobile shakers are capable of dynamically loading an area of soil across a broad frequency range. Complemented with an instrumentation van that houses state-of-the- art data acquisition systems and a large collection of field instrumentation, NEES@UTexas can be used in a variety of applications, including shear wave velocity characterization, liquefaction testing, geophysical testing, and dynamic testing of foundations and structures. Of notable interest, the large- scale equipment and site personnel expertise was integral to a study which developed and implemented a new in-situ liquefaction test with which the liquefaction characteristics of soil can be, for the first time, directly measured in natural field settings.
Figure 14: The T-Rex Mobile-Shaker at the NEES@UCSB Wild Life Test Site Facility
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NEES@UCSB – A Stable Understanding of Unstable Ground NEES@UCSB is comprised of two permanently-instrumented geotechnical test sites (Figure 15) designed to advance the awareness of the effects of surface geology on strong ground motion. These sites incorporate surface and borehole arrays of accelerometers and pore pressure transducers to record strong ground motions, excess pore pressure generation and liquefaction that occurs during large earthquakes in addition to monitoring a myriad of smaller earthquakes that occur yearly in the area. The instrumentation and thorough geophysical site characterization at the sites provide a natural laboratory for testing predictive models of soil behavior and ground shaking. On April 4, 2010, a major earthquake (magnitude 7.2) occurred 83 km (39 miles) SSE of Calexico, California, in Baja Mexico and approximately 110 km (68 miles) epicentral distance from the NEES@UCSB Wildlife liquefaction Array field site. The site was fully operational, and was able to collect a unique data set for the study of liquefaction. The data from the M7.2 event will be valuable records for improving our understanding of the physical process of pore pressure build up leading to liquefaction, and should help to improve our ability to predict the level of ground shaking where liquefaction will occur.
Figure 15: The Garner Valley Distributed Array Field Site of the NEES@UCSB Facility
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1.1.4 Tsunami Research Facility – A Friendly Wave
NEES@OSU – Water, Water Everywhere No other facility in the U.S. has the advanced tsunami‐generating capability of Oregon State University’s (NEES@OSU) Tsunami Wave Research Facility. Being able to conduct both Tsunami and coastal largescale testing allows researchers to study the effects of tsunamis on coastline communities and to develop ways to mitigate their devastating impact. NEES@OSU offers a tsunami wave basin (TWB) (Figure 16) with a three‐dimensional wavemaker and a large wave flume (LWF) equipped with a two dimensional wavemaker to support large multi‐scale tsunami wave research and hazard mitigation. The TWB has dimensions of 48.8 meters x 26.5 meters x 1.5 meters and is capable of producing a wide variety of wave types: regular, irregular, tsunami, multi‐direction, any type of user defined wave. The LWF is 104 meters x 3.7 meters x 4.6 meters and is capable of creating the same uni‐directional wave types. The capabilities of the Tsunami Research Facility have enabled researches to investigate tsunami structure interaction, tsunami inundation and overland flow, tsunami debris flow and scour, landslide generated tsunamis, and harbor resonance. All of these areas help to generate a better understanding of tsunami risk and lead to a better understanding of how to mitigate that risk.
Figure 16: Tsunami Wave Basin at the NEES@OSU Facility
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2| Network Financial Summary
2.0 Introduction This section contains the summary of the allocation of resources across the network according to the work breakdown structure (WBS). The report contains the reported budget distribution during fiscal year 2012 and estimated budget distribution through the first and second quarters of fiscal year 2013.
2.1 Allocation of Network Resources The network allocation of resources is based on high-level WBS categories: Shared-Use Research Support, Site Readiness, Network Requirements, IT Community Activities, Facility Enhancement Activities, Network EOT, Annualized Equipment Maintenance (AEM), and Network Resource Sharing. Shared-use research support involves any site activities that directly support project planning, testing, or demolition. Site Readiness consists of efforts to ensure the facility is ready to function when needed: preventative maintenance, calibration, and repair. Site readiness also includes efforts to ensure the safety of the facility. Network Requirements include administration, and core outreach activities (workshops, tours). Capacity Building includes community IT activities, facility enhancements and network level EOT activities. AEM is a sum of money set aside to support the facility equipment: replace depleted sensors, repair minor failures, and perform minor upgrades. Network Resource Sharing includes efforts to coordinate and share resources across the NEES network. This category helped to facilitate a more cohesive atmosphere among the network and has helped to move many initiatives forward that otherwise would not have happened. During the annual work plan development, each of the fourteen sites proposed a budget distribution justified by associated activities. These annual work plans are reviewed and approved by the site operations sub-committee.
NEEScomm, charged with monitoring the performance of the network, tracks the actual expenditures versus the approved planned distribution in the annual work plan as one of the methods employed to oversee the sites’ budgetary progress. The network average of estimated expenditures and planned expenditures for fiscal year 2012 are summarized in Table 1. According to the fiscal year 2012 quarterly financial reports, 43.7% of the site budgets were expended on research support, 24.2% was expended on site readiness, and 23.3% was expended to satisfy network requirements. Approximately 8.9% of the resources were expended towards capacity building, which includes facility enhancement and community IT efforts. 1% of the resources expended were reserved for AEM. It should be noted that these values are estimates reported by the sites at the close of the fourth quarter, 2012. As such, these numbers (including the site specific numbers presented later) do not reflect funds that were requested for carry forward. The actual expenses are evaluated during the end of the year budget reconciliation as shown in Volume 1.
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Table 1: Allocation of Network Resources for the 2012 Fiscal Year Reported Distribution Percent of Annual Work Plan Percent of Work Breakdown Structure of Expenses Total Reported Distribution of Expenses Total Planned Shared-Use Research Support $5,774,510 43.70% $5,951,311 44.14% Network Requirements $3,198,638 24.21% $3,291,868 24.42% Site Readiness $3,081,208 23.32% $3,251,049 24.11% IT Community Activities $191,288 1.45% $383,717 2.85% Capacity Building (Facility Enhancement) $682,317 5.16% $272,534 2.02% Network EOT $179,806 1.36% $171,787 1.27% Annualized Equipment Maintenance $86,270 0.65% $140,221 1.04% Network Resource Sharing $19,038 0.14% $19,855 0.15% Total*** $13,213,075 100.00% $13,482,342 100.00%
During the 2013 fiscal year, NEES continued monitoring the network expenditures according to the same work breakdown structure. According to the fiscal year 2013 quarter 1 and quarter 2 financial reports, 46.7% of the site budgets were expended on research support, 21.5% was expended on site readiness, and 24.2% was expended to satisfy network requirements. Approximately 5.1% of the resources were expended towards capacity building (which includes facility enhancement), and 1.2% on community IT efforts. Just over 1.2% of the resources were expended for AEM, network EOT and network resource sharing. The network average of estimate expenditures for the first and second quarters of FY 2013 and planned expenditures for fiscal year 2013 are summarized in Table 2.
Table 2: Allocation of Network Resources for Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 of the 2013 Fiscal Year
Reported Distribution Percent of Annual Work Plan Percent of Work Breakdown Structure of Expenses Total Reported Distribution of Expenses Total Planned Shared-Use Research Support $2,780,541 46.74% $6,034,417 43.66% Network Requirements $1,281,181 21.53% $3,388,485 24.51% Site Readiness $1,437,206 24.16% $3,258,965 23.58% IT Community Activities $71,377 1.20% $130,286 0.94% Capacity Building (Facility Enhancement) $304,048 5.11% $500,296 3.62% Network EOT $52,506 0.88% $239,344 1.73% Annualized Equipment Maintenance $20,532 0.35% $152,160 1.10% Network Resource Sharing $2,162 0.04% $118,619 0.86% Total $5,949,553 100.00% $13,822,572 100.00%
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3| Network Metrics Summary
3.0 Network Metrics Summary To monitor the success of the various sites across the network, progress is tracked on various key activities that facilitate the vision and goals of NEES. The activities include the following:
• Required Base Services - Safety monitoring, PMCR (planned preventative maintenance, calibration, and repair), and Core Education, Outreach, and Training requirements
• Capacity Building Initiatives – IT Community Enhancements, Facility Enhancements
• Research Progress
3.1 Required Base Services
3.1.1 Safety Safety is a core value of the NEES network. Safety is emphasized throughout the network on three different levels. On the research project level, PIs work with the Sites to develop project-specific safety mitigation strategies. On the site level, each site has a laboratory-specific safety plan. These are posted on each of the NEES Site’s web pages. And on a third level, NEEScomm has worked with the Sites, and the Site Operations Subcommittee to develop a Network-Wide Safety Policy. A copy of this document is available on nees.org. The three-tiered approach underscores the network’s overall commitment to safety.
During FY2012, three injuries were reported at the NEES Sites. Details of these incidents are included in the Site Narratives section of the FY2012 NEES Annual Report. Through the first two quarters of FY2013 report, two injuries have been reported to NEEScomm. Details of this incident are included in the Site Narratives section of this report.
Sites emphasize safety training and include safety talks in their regular meetings and discussions with researchers. The commitment to safety is also reflected in having current safety materials available for Site staff and researchers. Through Q2 of FY2012, all 14 sites have conducted an annual review of their Site safety plan and posted an updated document on their web pages.
3.1.2 Preventative Maintenance, Calibration, and Repairs (PMCR) To ensure that each facility is operational and maintains good working status, a portion of the network support is intended for Preventative Maintenance, Calibration, and Repair (PMCR). Sites propose a planned set of activities associated with PMCR and report progress as an estimate of the annual planned percent completion. Additionally, each site provides a narrative for activities performed on a quarterly basis. For each individual site, PMCR activities have been summarized independently and are available in the Facility Narratives of this volume. To evaluate the progress of the individual sites, the individual 19
Volume 2: NEES Network Site Activities completion percentages can be compared to the network average. For fiscal year 2012, Figure 17 summarizes PMCR activities. As can be seen in the figure, 100% of the Planned Preventative Maintenance, 94% of Planned Calibrations, and 95% of Planned Repairs have been completed through the end of the fiscal year. The combined planned PMCR activities were 96% complete. This is indicative of the increased research load at the NEES sites.
Figure 17: Network Average for PMCR for FY2012 For the first two quarters of fiscal year 2013, Figure 18 shows the progress for PMCR activities. As can be seen, 39% if the activities associated with preventative maintenance, 43% of the activities associated with calibrations, and 38% of the activities associated with repairs are complete through the second quarter. The combined completion percentage for PMCR activities is an average of 38%. This is to be expected as reporting covers through Q2, or 50% of the fiscal year.
Figure 18: Network Average for PMCR for FY2013 through Q2
20 In addition to PMCR activities conducted by the facilities, NEEScomm helps to facilitate PMCR by partnering with MTS to provide support to nine sites equipped with MTS equipment. The support program is divided into two primary components: fixed and flexible accounts. The fixed portion provides funding for two full time MTS employees to be available for calibration, training, travel, and maintenance across the eight supported sites. This is equivalent to 300 contract days of support. Of the 300 planned support days for fiscal year 2012, MTS reported that 263 support days or 88% were used. For fiscal year 2012, Figure 19 shows the breakdown of work activity for the utilized contract days, and Figure 20 shows the breakdown of days for each supported site.
Figure 19: MTS Fixed Days Activity Breakdown for FY2012 Figure 20: MTS Fixed Days Utilization by Site for FY 2012 Of the 300 planned support days for fiscal year 2013, MTS reported that 94 support days or 31% were used through the second quarter. This is to be expected since 50% of the fiscal year has passed. Figure 21 shows the breakdown of work activity for the utilized contract days, and Figure 22 shows the breakdown of days for each supported site.
Figure 21: MTS Fixed Days Activity Breakdown for FY2013 Figure 22: MTS Fixed Days Utilization by Site for FY 2013 through Q2 through Q2 21
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The flexible portion of the MTS support agreement is used to support sites in regards to consulting, training, and repairs. The flexible portion can also be used to perform upgrades to certain systems. Figure 23 and Figure 24 show the distribution of flexible funds by spending category for fiscal year 2012 and the first two quarters of fiscal year 2012, respectively. It should be noted, that the “other” category is significant in FY 2012 due to the HPU health monitoring program previously mentioned. During FY2012, $129,225.58 of the $162,516.00 flexible funds was used (80% of the available funds); another 33,290.42 is committed to Lehigh for the hydraulic power unit health monitoring. This will be carried forward to fiscal year 2013. For the first two quarters of the 2013 fiscal year, $34,938.59 of the $193,959.00 flexible funds was used (18% of the available funds). The distribution of the flexible funds by site can be seen in Figure 26 and Figure 26 for fiscal year 2012 and the first two quarters of fiscal year 2013, respectively.
Figure 23: Utilization of Flexible Funds Network-Wide for Figure 24: Utilization of Flexible Funds Network-Wide for FY2012 FY2013 through Q2
Figure 26: Utilization of Flexible Funds by Site for FY2013 Figure 25: Utilization of Flexible Funds by Site for FY2012 through Q2
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3.1.3 Core Education, Outreach, and Training (EOT) Ensuring that the product of the research conducted at across the distributed facilities is disseminated to a broad audience is a tantamount to the success of NEES. As such, NEEScomm seeks to promote Education, Outreach, and Training (EOT) by requiring a portion of each site’s budget be allocated for associated activities. Sites are also encouraged to engage in high level outreach activities. Activities range from laboratories tours and workshops to the development of museum exhibits or traveling education modules. The effort and outcomes produced by the network surely sets NEES apart as a leader in EOT.
To track the success of the EOT conducted across the network, NEEScomm collects various metrics of the events. Of particular importance, the total number of participants, total number of events, total events engaging practitioners, and total number of practitioners participating are collected. Table 3 displays the collected metrics for the entire network for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012 and the first two quarters of fiscal year 2013.
Table 3: Network EOT Metrics EOT Category Fiscal Year & Quarter FY12 / ALL FY13 / Q1 FY13 / Q2 Total Number of NEES Events 536 55 78 Total Number of Participants 42,230 6,071 16,117 Total Number of Events Engaging Practitioners 64 9 12
Total Number of Engaged Practitioners 1,401 249 646
3.2 Capacity Building Initiatives Capacity building initiatives consist of IT community enhancements and facility enhancements. These two activities are purposed to ensure that both the individual sites and the network remain at the cutting edge in terms of Information Technology and Equipment Site capabilities. Figure 27 displays the average progress for the network for IT community enhancements and facility enhancements, as well as an average of all capacity building for fiscal year 2012. Details of specific activities conducted at the sites are included in the site narratives. Network wide, progress for capacity building is 86% during the 2012 fiscal year. As shown in Figure 28, 38% of the proposed activities for capacity building have been complete. This value is to be expected since two quarters of the fiscal year have passed (50%). Details on their respective plans are highlighted in the site narratives contained in Volume 3.
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100% 100% 90% 88% 80% 80% 80% 73% 62% 61% 60% 60% 46% 42% 42% 40% 36% 28% 20% 20% 14%
0% Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Facility IT Community Network EOT % Network Resource Enhancement % Activities % Sharing %
Figure 27: Network Average for Capacity Building for FY2012
100%
80%
60% 44% 37% 40% 40% 32% 22% 23% 20% 14% 16%
0% Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Facility IT Community Network EOT % Network Resource Enhancement % Activities % Sharing %
Figure 28: Network Average for Capacity Building for FY2013 through Q2
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3.3 Network Research Progress An additional metric used to determine the success across the network is tracking the completion rate of research projects. The progress for each NEES site, both research activity and financial expenditures, for each respective project is shown in Table 4 through Table 17. The values for research activity represent an approximate percent completion of the proposed annual progress for each research project. These values are used to monitor overall project activity. The financial values represent an estimation of program expenditures for each project. The financial percentages are used as an additional means to monitor project activity.
In general most sites are reporting progress that indicates they are on track to meet the targeted annual percent completion goals. There are a few specific projects that are reported as being behind schedule. However, as there are still two quarters remaining and many research activities are scheduled during the summer, it is expected that most of these projects will make significant progress during the final two quarters.
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Table 4: NEES@Cornell Project Summary Table
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Table 5: NEES@Lehigh Project Summary Table
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Table 6: NEES@OregonState Project Summary Table
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Table 7: NEES@RPI Project Summary Table
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Table 8: NEES@Buffalo Project Summary Table
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Table 8: NEES@Buffalo Project Summary Table
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Table 9: NEES@Texas Project Summary Table
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Table 10: NEES@UCBerkeley Project Summary Table
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Table 11: NEES@UCDavis Project Summary Table
34 Table 12: NEES@UCLA Project Summary Table
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Table 12: NEES@UCLA Project Summary Table
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Table 13: NEES@UCSB Project Summary Table
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Table 14: NEES@UCSD Project Summary Table
38 Table 15: NEES@Illinois Project Summary Table
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Table 16: NEES@Minnesota Project Summary Table
40 Table 17: NEES@UNR Project Summary Table
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4 | Facility Narratives
4.0 Site Network Facility Narratives This section contains facility narratives for each of the 14 NEES equipment sites. The following site specific information is contained in the narratives:
• Facility Highlights
• List of Site Personnel
• Budget Summary for FY 2012 and FY 2013
• Research Support Progress
• Site Readiness Narrative – Activities needed to ensure that the facility and equipment is available and functions. This category includes safety management, preventative maintenance, calibration, and repair (PMCR) and in the case of one site, real-time monitoring.
• Network Requirements – Proposed plans to meet the reporting, IT and EOT mandated by the network as a whole. Included in this category are: administrative requirements, IT administration, support for research workshops and local EOT activities.
• Capacity Building – Planned efforts to expend the influence and capabilities of the network. Sections are devoted to community IT, high-impact EOT and facility enhancements.
• Annualized Equipment Maintenance – Planned allocation of funds for sites to use for upgrades or replacement of minor equipment, instrumentation, computers, and sensors.
• Network Resource Sharing – Proposals to share resources among the sites.
• Supplemental Awards and Major Equipment Repairs
The narratives contained in the following sections cover site activities performed beginning in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012 and ending with the second quarter of fiscal year 2013.
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4.1 Cornell University
The large split-box test basin located at Cornell’s Large-Scale Lifelines Testing Facility provides unique capabilities for subjecting lifeline specimens (typically instrumented pipelines) to full scale ground deformations from seismic events. The picture above shows the resulting surface condition around a buried pipeline subjected to four feet of ground deformation. The pipeline was installed at industry standard depth and soil compaction levels with the soil conditions highly quantified and documented.
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Cornell Large-Scale Lifelines Testing Facility Annual Facility Snapshot Narrative FY 2013
Site Personnel
Harry E. Stewart, PI
Thomas D. O’Rourke, Co-PI
Timothy K. Bond, Manager of Technical Services
Joseph Chipalowsky, Site Operations Manager
Michael C Wickham, Site IT Specialist
NEES@Cornell, From Left to Right: Tim Bond, Margret Ding, Michael Wickham and Joe Chipalowsky
46 Budget Summary Annual Work Plan Distribution Reported Distribution Work Breakdown Structure FY 2013 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2012 (Q1 and Q2) Shared-Use Research Support $195,491 $253,828 $271,525 $127,668 Site Readiness $123,564 $141,441 $109,777 $21,281 Network Requirements $150,015 $84,082 $141,200 $38,290 IT Community Activities $36,061 - $3,690 - Facility Enhancement Activities - - - - Network EOT $57,787 $47,898 $18,304 $3,816 Annualized Equipment Maintenance - - - - Network Resource Sharing - - - - Total $562,918 $527,249 $544,496 $191,055 *All values obtained from quarterly financial reports submitted by facilities. Actual values are reconciled by the business office.
Figure 29: Cumulative Reported and Planned Expenditures According to WBS for FY 2012
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Figure 30: Cumulative Reported and Planned Expenditures According to WBS for Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 of FY 2013
Shared-Use Research Average Project Support Progress
All NEES facilities, as a part of their annual work plan, submit proposed project completion percentages for all supported projects during that fiscal year. Progress is reported quarterly and tracked by NEEScomm. The following figure represents the average reported progress for all supported projects compared to the target completion percentage as outlined in the annual work plan. A similar graph is shown for each project.
48 Using the percent progress for each project, equivalent projects are determined for each site. As an example, if a facility completed 50% of two projects and 25% of a third in a certain fiscal year, that facility has completed 1.25 equivalent projects. Fiscal Year Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Planned
Equivalent Number of 2012 0.1 0.15 0.25 0.35 0.3 Completed Projects
2013 0.05 0.1 - - 0.3
For fiscal year 2012, NEES@Cornell planned, according to their AWP, that they would have an average 65% project completion for all projects at the facility. By the end of the fourth quarter,the yearly goal was reached. For fiscal year 2012, NEES@Cornell anticipates an average 65% project compeltion. Based on historical performance, NEES@Cornell is on track to reach the target project completion.
Project 1 – O’Rourke (Cornell University) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 1041498
NEESR-CR - Earthquake Response and Rehabilitation of Critical Lifelines Project Description The test basin at Cornell consists of a fixed and movable section displaced by four hydraulic actuators. The basin is 3.2 m wide and 15.0 m long, with a maximum 2.1-m depth. It is split in the center along a 50- degree sliding plane allowing application of ground rupture at angles of pipeline/fault intersection of - 50° and 50°. Four actuators, mounted parallel to the direction of fault displacement, will be electronically grouped and operated under displacement control, thus assuring identical actuator commands and uniform test basin movement.
The full suite of proposed Cornell full-scale tests is summarized in the table below. All tests with liners will be pressurized at municipal distribution pressure of approximately 500 kPa. The full testing regime includes 2 control specimens without linings to compare with tests for pipelines with linings. During FY12 we will be using ductile iron pipe as a substitute for cast iron. Two types of CIPP liners will be tested, involving liners with different stiffnesses (CIPP1 and CIPP2). During FY12 we anticipate characterizing a separate lining system and comparing that to the lining system we have tested in FY11.
Two different configurations of pipeline will be tested with ground rupture both crossing a joint and crossing the center of a pipe equidistant from adjacent joints, thus capturing bounding conditions for geometric response to ground movement. The soil cover over the top of the pipe will be 0.6 m to match lower bound burial conditions in the field.
Two lined pipelines will be tested simultaneously with each setup, thus enhancing test productivity. Beginning in September 2011 our intent is to perform a major experiment every 2-3 months resulting in 4 tests during FY12.
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Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: During the 4th quarter, a series of 3 major experiments were designed and conducted. The first test used an instrumented 6 inch diameter Ductile Iron (DI) lined pipeline as a specimen. This multi- sectioned test pipe was lined and buried in the test basin. The test specimen was pressurized using water and placed in tension by movement of the test basin. In this
Experiment, a segment of the pipeline was centered over the movable fault of the test basin. The second experiment conducted during the quarter was the similar to the one described above but for this experiment a designated joint of the test specimen was placed at the fault.
The last experiment conducted during the quarter was the first of a series of tests used to determine loading rate effects when lined pipeline segments were pulled apart. A purpose built frame with actuator was used for these tests. The pipeline was instrumented with strain and displacement gauges. Cornell’s NEES hydraulic pump, manifold and control software were used for these tests.
As in the previous, Cornell’s NEES servers were used to run Abaqus (Finite Element Analysis software) and Matlab pipeline simulation to predict test results. Data obtained from testing was used to fine tune models.
FY13 – Q1: The 1st quarter of FY13 began with a continuation of testing started in the previous quarter. During this quarter, 6 pipeline specimens were instrumented and prepared for tests. A series of pull testes at various rotation angles were conducted using 6 inch diameter Ductile Iron (DI) pipeline with curried in place (CIP) lining as specimens. The pipelines were instrumented with strain and displacement gauges. Cornell’s NEES hydraulic pump, manifold, control software was used for these tests as well as the site’s network cameras and DAQ instrumentation system.
At the end of the quarter, preparations began for a similar series of tests using again, 6 inch Ductile Iron (DI) pipelines but these specimens lined (CIP) with a different lining system. Researchers anticipate
50 substantially different results.
As in previous quarters for this project, Cornell’s NEES servers were used to run Abaqus (Finite Element Analysis software) and Matlab pipeline simulation to predict test results. Data obtained from testing was used to fine tune models.
FY13 – Q2: The second quarter of FY13 began with the testing of 3 ductile iron specimens with gaps ranging from .25” to .5” with Starline 2000 cured in place liners installed by PPM. These tests were intended to develop an understanding of the interaction of the liner with the mortar and the ductile iron under reversing loads and different pressures. The specimens were instrumented with stain, displacement, internal pressure, load and displacement gages. These tests used the sites hydraulic system, cameras and DAQs.
After these 3 tests were completed, four 30 foot long specimens of ductile iron pipe (with mortar liners) were prepared for lining by PPM with the Starline 2000 liner. These four specimens were lined and cured in February. The site provided material handling, space and cameras during the lining process.
The Cornell NEES servers were used for intensive preparation of drive signals to be used at UB for the large scale tests performed in February and March.
Site Readiness Narratives Site Safety Task FY 2012 – Q4 FY 2013 – Q1 FY 2013 – Q2 Last Revision of Safety Plan 3/2/2011 3/2/2011 3/2/2011 Reportable Injuries 0 0 0
PMCR Progress FY 2012
*Note: No planned repair activities.
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FY 2013
*Note: No planned repair activities.
PMCR Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Maintenance MTS conducted PM on the hydraulic pump and manifolds. Additionally, two load frames and several Temposonic displacement transducers were calibrated on this trip. The replacement soil conveyor was received and will be placed in service during the next quarter.
Prior to the test conducted in the 4th quarter, all the soil conveying equipment was cleaned, lubricated and adjusted. Load cells and displacement sensors were calibrated as needed.
Calibration Nothing planned
Repair Nothing planned
FY13 – Q1: Maintenance In QTR 1, MTS conducted PM on the hydraulic pump, manifold and actuators.
Late in the quarter, MTS returned to install the MTS Hydraulix Health Monitoring system on our hydraulic pump.
Calibration In QTR 1, Cornell’s NEES actuators were calibrated by MTS.
Prior to the testing conducted in the 1st quarter, load cells and displacement sensors were calibrated.
Repair 52 Nothing planned
FY13 – Q2: Maintenance In QTR 2, time was spent cleaning up DAQ equipment, checking wiring and connections, removing dust and cleaning filters. Replaced fans in one of the DAQ units.
Calibration Prior to the testing conducted in the 2nd quarter, load cells and displacement sensors were calibrated.
Repair Nothing planned
Network Requirements EOT
EOT Category Fiscal Year and Quarter FY12 / Q4 FY13 / Q1 FY13 / Q2 Total Number of NEES Events 1 1 0 Total Number of Participants 20 20 0 Total Number of Events Engaging Practitioners 0 0 0 Total Number of Engaged Practitioners 0 0 0
Capacity Building and Network Initiatives Progress FY 2012
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FY 2013
*No planned facility enhancement or network EOT activities during FY 2011.
For fiscal year 2013, NEES@Cornell did not complete all IT community enhancements. However, there were no planned facility enhancements.
Capacity Building and Network Initiative Activity Narrative None
Annualized Equipment Maintenance None
Supplemental Awards and Major Equipment Repair In FY12, Cornell’s NEES site received an EOT supplement for the design of a new exhibit which would be added to the previously funded NEES traveling exhibition. The FY12 supplement was used to research and design a tsunami exhibit. Working with the Sciencenter of Ithaca, NY, the design was completed in the first quarter of FY13.
In quarter 2, Cornell’s NEES site received word that it will receive supplemental funding for a Network EOT project. Working in close coordination with the Sciencenter of Ithaca, NY, the funding will be used to design and fabricate a tsunami traveling exhibit. When completed, this exhibit will be added to the exhibits already constructed. Because of the delay in granting the award, the new completion date is March of 2014.
54 4.2 Lehigh University
The Lehigh University RTMD facility located in the ATLSS Research Center (IMBT Laboratory) allows for real-time multi-directional hybrid seismic testing, combined with real-time analytical simulations, to investigate the seismic behavior of large-scale structural components, structural sub assemblages, and super assemblages (systems). This is achieved through the combined use of dynamic actuators, reaction wall, strong floor and high performance computing. This facility is also designed to support multi-site distributed hybrid testing methods where the substructures involved are at different geographic locations connected by the NEES network.
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Lehigh University-Large-Scale Multi-Directional Real Time Testing Annual Facility Snapshot Narrative FY 2013
Site Personnel
James Ricles, PI Richard Sause, Co-PI Gary Novak, Operations Manager Tommy Marullo, IT Manager Frank Stokes, ATLSS Lab Manager Doris Oravec, ATLSS Business Manager David Altemus, Laboratory Techniciam Todd Anthony, Laboratory Technician Joseph Cheszar, Laboratory Technician Joseph Griffiths, Instrumentation Technician John Hoffner, Laboratory Foreman Russell Longenbach, Instrumentation Technician Roger Moyer, Laboratory Technician Ed Tomlinson, Instrumentation Group Leader Adam Kline, Laboratory Technician Carl Bowman, Instrumentation Technician Joe Timar, Laboratory Technician Mary Ann Cahalan, ATLSS Research Coordinator
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NEES@Lehigh Budget Summary Annual Work Plan Reported Distribution Distribution Work Breakdown Structure FY 2013 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2012 (Q1 and Q2) Shared-Use Research Support $475,986 $531,680 $522,497 $101,479 Site Readiness $184,807 $199,318 $102,263 $98,433 Network Requirements $236,791 $205,263 $217,282 $124,496 IT Community Activities $17,612 $10,051 - - Facility Enhancement Activities $57,920 $21,965 $141,559 $56,702 Network EOT $10,485 $22,736 - - Annualized Equipment Maintenance - - - - Network Resource Sharing - - - - Total $983,601 $991,013 $983,601 $381,110 *All values obtained from quarterly financial reports submitted by facilities. Actual values are reconciled by the business office.
Figure 31: Cumulative Reported and Planned Expenditures According to WBS for FY 2012
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Figure 32: Cumulative Reported and Planned Expenditures According to WBS for Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 of FY 2013
Shared-Use Research Average Project Support Progress All NEES facilities, as a part of their annual work plan, submit proposed project completion percentages for all supported projects during that fiscal year. Progress is reported quarterly and tracked by NEEScomm. The following figure represents the average reported progress for all supported projects compared to the target completion percentage as outlined in the annual work plan. A similar graph is shown for each project.
58 Using the percent progress for each project, equivalent projects are determined for each site. As an example, if a facility completed 50% of two projects and 25% of a third in a certain fiscal year, that facility has completed 1.25 equivalent projects.
Fiscal Year Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Planned
Equivalent Number of Completed 2012 0.75 1.35 2.34 2.38 3.75 Projects
2013 0.46 0.92 - - 2.82
For FY12, NEES@Lehigh planned, according to their AWP, that they would be 82% complete with all projects at the facility, on average. By the end of FY12 NEES@Lehigh had reached a 70% average completion, right on target. For fiscal year 2013 NEES@Lehigh has planned to have a 81% completion percentage my the end of the fiscal year. It is anticipated that NEES@Lehigh will have a tough time meeting their target.
Project 1 – Dyke (Purdue University) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 1011534
NEESR-SG: Performance-Based Design and Real-time Large-scale Testing to Enable Implementation of Advanced Damping Systems Project Description The overall goal of the proposed study is to develop design methodologies and to validate and refine real-time hybrid simulation procedures for structures equipped with advanced damping systems. MR dampers are a promising device selected to demonstrate and validate these developments. This goal will be achieved through completion of the following objectives, resulting in the subsequently identified outcomes: Research and Education Objectives 1. Establish performance-based design methodologies for structures equipped with advanced damping systems; 2. Develop high-fidelity models of MR damping devices, effective scaling laws, and improved control algorithms that are appropriate for model-based simulation studies and for real-world seismic design; 3. Validate the design methodologies for structural systems with smart damping devices, as well as modeling and control algorithms for MR devices, using the Lehigh NEES Equipment Site to conduct large-scale real-time pseudo dynamic tests; and 4. Educate a diverse group of current and future practitioners and students on these technologies.
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Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Project complete at Lehigh.
Project 2 – Christianson (University of Connecticut) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 0830235
NEESR-SD: Development of a Real-Time Multi-Site Hybrid Testing Tool for NEES Project Description The goal of this NEESR-SD project is to develop, examine, implement and demonstrate innovative robust and accurate synchronization control tools that provide the new capability and corresponding user interface to conduct real-time multi-site experiment and simulation tests within the NEES framework. The research program consists of four research tasks that will develop, implement examine and demonstrate real-time multi-site hybrid testing. Research Task 1: Develop synchronization control algorithm for a real-time multi-site hybrid test in earthquake engineering. In this first research task, the control algorithm that provides synchronization control of multiple geographically distributed physical components with a single simulation component and accounts for random network delays will be developed. This synchronization control simulation module will be based on successful applications in the PI's initial studies at UConn but will need to be extended to incorporate multiple experiment components and random network delays. Model-based predictors will be incorporated to improve performance of the synchronization, keeping in mind that a certain level of model uncertainty is inherent to the hybrid test philosophy. A standard architecture for the internet based distributed test will be implemented (albeit locally and simulated) to verify system components. The performance of this synchronization control algorithm and its sensitivity to various errors will be examined for purely simulated systems.
Research Task 2: Implement real-time multi-site hybrid testing on small-scale system. The small-scale demonstration will represent a two-story (one-bay) in-plane shear frame building with
60 MR dampers placed between the ground and first story. The first step of this task is to experimentally test the fully physical bench-scale system on a shake table as a benchmark for validation purposes. The small-scale hybrid system will then be comprised of two experimental components (the MR dampers tested with actuators) and a simulated component (the two-story structure itself). Small-scale tests will be run solely at UConn on the real-time hybrid test system and will pass data through the RBNB server (running on the hybrid control computer) to simulate a multi-site test. This research task will examine the sensitivity of the synchronization control algorithm to network delay, sensor noise, modeling error, etc., using the small-scale system. Based on the results, the design and implementation of the synchronized control algorithm will be assessed and may be revisited.
Research Task 3: Develop a user interface to facilitate real-time multi-site hybrid simulation. This task will extend the very successful Real-time Data Viewer (RDV) NEES tool to provide a java-based module to coordinate multi-site real-time hybrid tests. The experiment can be viewed: in real-time; paused, rewound, and replayed; or accessed from archived data in NEES Central (employing all of the capabilities of RDV). The PI has implemented a similar RDV tool for the teleoperation and telepresence of bench-scale laboratory equipment for a current NSF-funded CCLI project.
Research Task 4: Demonstrate real-time multi-site hybrid testing with full-scale NEES system. The large-scale demonstration test consists of two experimental components and one simulation component and will make use of existing experimental infrastructure in order to keep project costs within the budget of a NEESR-SD. A series of large-scale real-time hybrid tests will be conducted: (i) the system with only one MR damper physically tested will be tested at Lehigh; (ii) the system with two MR dampers both located at Lehigh and a remote site will be tested to obtain results without any communications time delay; and (iii) the system with one damper located at Lehigh and one damper located at another site will be tested using the proposed synchronization controller and simulated portion. These goals and activities will be accomplished by a multi-disciplinary team with the background and experience to successfully approach these activities from a fresh perspective. A series of tests are planned using a small-scale system to develop and examine concepts and validate these methods with a fully physical shake table test. A user interface tool, based on the NEES Real-time Data Viewer (RDV) will be developed to facilitate conducting multi-site hybrid tests. Large-scale tests will be conducted to demonstrate the application of these methods to actual NEES equipment. An internet-based education and outreach tool that accesses actual test data from the small- scale and large-scale tests will be developed to demonstrate the tools and methodologies developed within this research to the greater community. A training workshop will be held at the Lehigh NEES facility at the end of the project to promote the distributed use of NEES facilities through hybrid testing within both the NEES and the structural control communities. The results will be disseminated through NEES Cyberinfrastructure as well as presentations at conferences, journal publications and a Ph.D. thesis.
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Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Testing completed. Project completed.
Project 3 – Sause (Lehigh University) NSF – NEESR, CMMI – 0936610
NEESR-CR: Performance-Based Design for Cost-Effective Seismic Hazard Mitigation in New Buildings Using Supplemental Passive Damper Systems Project Description The vision for the project is a validated multi-level, probabilistic, performance-based seismic design procedure for buildings with supplemental passive damping systems. In this procedure, the design of the damping system is integrated with the design of the associated seismic load resisting frames, and the uncertainties that influence the level of damage caused by ground motions at different seismic hazard (input) levels are treated explicitly. The procedure considers multiple performance objectives, with each objective associating a different level of damage with a different seismic hazard level. The project will design two steel-framed prototype buildings as the context for the research. Several types of dampers will be studied. Tests at the Lehigh NEES equipment site will characterize the dampers; analytical models for the dampers will be calibrated and validated. Extending previous work, a practical performance-based design procedure, and an associated design assessment procedure for buildings with passive dampers will be developed. These procedures treat inherent uncertainties using partial safety factors. The performance-based design procedure will be used to produce several design cases for each prototype building, by varying the strength of the steel frames and the damper type. Then, each design case will be assessed with a rigorous, probabilistic assessment procedure developed by the project. This assessment uses nonlinear dynamic analyses, and considers numerous damage states while rigorously treating uncertainties in building properties, damping systems, and ground motions. The procedure estimates the probabilities that these damage states are reached at different seismic hazard (input) levels. Large-scale real-time hybrid pseudo-dynamic simulations at the Lehigh NEES equipment site will validate the rigorous
62 assessment procedure as well as the results of the practical design procedure. The hybrid simulations will have two phases: Phase 1 uses three individual large-scale dampers as the lab specimens, while the remainder of the building is modeled as analytical substructures; Phase 2 uses a large-scale 3-story steel frame with one damper at each story as the lab specimen, while the remainder of the building modeled as analytical substructures. Phase 1 simulations will be particularly efficient, by enabling numerous ground motions to be applied to the building, resulting in various levels of damage, without the need to repair the test specimens, since the damage will be within the analytical substructures. Phase 2 simulations will validate this approach.
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: The revised prototype elastomeric damper (2nd generation) was manufactured in the 2nd quarter of FY2012, and characterization tests of this damper were completed during the 3rd and 4th quarters of FY2012. Hybrid earthquake simulations using these dampers (with the dampers in a test fixture on the strong floor) were completed in the 4th quarter of FY2012. During the 1st quarter of FY2013, 20 2nd generation elastomeric dampers will be fabricated for installation into the large-scale steel frame (DBF) structure in the laboratory. Hybrid earthquake simulations of the DBF structure with these dampers will be conducted during the 2nd and 3rd quarter of FY2013.
The characterization tests of the viscous dampers were completed during the 3rd quarter of FY2012. Hybrid earthquake simulations using these dampers (with the dampers in a test fixture on the strong floor) were completed during the 3rd quarter of FY2012. The steel frame (DBF) structure to be used by the project was damaged during testing by another project during the 3rd quarter of FY2012. The DBF was repaired and the viscous dampers were installed in the DBF during the 4th quarter of FY2012. Hybrid simulations with the dampers in the DBF structure were initiated in the 4th quarter of FY2012 and will continue into the 1st quarter of FY2013.
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FY13 – Q1: Hybrid simulations with the viscous dampers in the DBF structure, which initiated in the 4th quarter of FY2012, continued the 1st quarter of FY2013.
The characterization tests of the viscous dampers were completed during the 3rd quarter of FY2012.
Hybrid earthquake simulations using viscous dampers (with the dampers in a test fixture on the strong floor) were completed during the 3rd quarter of FY2012.
The steel frame (DBF) structure that is to be used by the project was damaged during testing by another project during the 3rd quarter of FY2012. The DBF was repaired during the 4th quarter of FY2012.
During the 1st quarter of FY2013, production of a final set of 30 of 2nd generation prototype dampers was initiated by Corry Rubber, Inc. This final set of 30 dampers will be tested in the DBF during the 3rd quarter of FY2013.
A set of 2 revised prototype elastomeric dampers (2nd generation) was manufactured in the 2nd quarter of FY2012, and characterization tests of this damper were completed during the 3rd and 4th quarters of FY2012.
Hybrid earthquake simulations using these elastomeric (with the dampers in a test fixture on the strong floor) were completed during the 4th quarter of FY2012.
FY13 – Q2: Hybrid simulations with the viscous dampers in the DBF structure, which initiated in the 4th quarter of FY2012, continued in the 1st and 2nd quarters of FY2013. These tests will be completed in the 3rd quarter of FY2013. Previously, the characterization tests of the viscous dampers were completed during the 3rd quarter of FY2012. Hybrid earthquake simulations using viscous dampers (with the dampers in a test fixture on the strong floor) were completed during the 3rd quarter of FY2012.
Previously, the steel frame (DBF) structure that is to be used by the project was damaged during testing by another project during the 3rd quarter of FY2012. The DBF was repaired during the 4th quarter of FY2012, which delayed the initiation of the hybrid simulations with the viscous dampers in the DBF.
During the 1st quarter of FY2013, production of a final set of 30 of 2nd generation prototype dampers was initiated by Corry Rubber, Inc. There were some production issues, and production was not completed until the end on the 2nd quarter of FY2013. This final set of 30 dampers will be tested in the DBF during the 3rd and 4th quarters of FY2013. Previously, a set of 2 revised prototype elastomeric dampers (2nd generation) was manufactured in the 2nd quarter of FY2012, and characterization tests of these dampers were completed during the 3rd and 4th quarters of FY2012.
Hybrid earthquake simulations using these elastomeric dampers (with the dampers in a test fixture on the strong floor) were completed during the 4th quarter of FY2012.
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Project 4 – Riggs (University of Hawaii) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 1041666
NEESR-CR: Impact Forces from Tsunami-driven Debris Project Description The objective of this research project is to improve our understanding of, and predictive capabilities for, tsunami-driven debris impact forces on structures. Impact forces specified by current codes and standards are based on rigid body dynamics, while our proposition is that a model that fails to consider the flexibility of the debris results in design forces that are substantially too conservative. We will carry out experiments at NEES@OSU and NEES@Lehigh to improve our understanding of the important physical processes and to develop and validate two numerical models: a simplified model that can be used for design and reliability studies and a fully 3-D fluid-structure interaction model based on computational fluid dynamics. This simulation-based model will be used to explore complex parameters not included in the simple model, such as 3-D geometry, impact angle, and 3-D fluid flow.
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: "Final phase of testing on transverse impact of debris completed. Testing at Lehigh is completed. Expect to complete upload of all test data during FY Q1 2013. 1) Flexural Impact of the corner post of the Container · Middle impact tests on West corner post (Elastic) · Middle impact tests on West corner post (Nonlinear-Big Test 4) · Middle impact tests on East corner post (Elastic) · Middle impact tests on East corner post (Nonlinear-Big Test 5) 2) Flexural Impact of the different sections connected to the Container · Middle impact on tube section with simple-simple support (Elastic Test) · Middle impact on tube section with simple-simple support (Plastic Test) · Middle impact on solid bar section with simple-simple support (Elastic Test) 65
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· Middle impact on solid bar section with simple-simple support (Plastic Test)"
FY13 – Q1: All project data has been uploaded. Metadata to be uploaded in Q2.
FY13 – Q2: Metadata uploaded. Project Complete at Lehigh for work defined in proposal and ESUF.
Project 5 – Kurama (University of Notre Dame) NSF-NEESR, CMMI-1041598
NEESR-CR: Post-Tensioned Coupled Shear Wall Systems Project Description The overall vision of the proposed project is a novel seismic-resistant reinforced concrete (RC) coupled shear wall system where the widely-used unbonded post-tensioned RC floor slab construction method is adapted for coupling (i.e., link) beams to develop coupling forces between the wall piers. The research objective is to develop a coupled wall system that provides significant performance, construction, and economic benefits, and that sustains little damage during a severe earthquake. To prevent premature failure due to diagonal tension or sliding shear, conventional RC coupling beams in high seismic regions are often designed with two intersecting groups of diagonal reinforcing bars crossing the beam-to-wall joints. The placement of these diagonal bars is a major challenge in construction practice, and even when properly detailed, significant damage can occur in these beams under seismic loading. In comparison, the primary reinforcement in the coupling beams of the proposed system consists of a single unbonded multi-strand post-tensioning (PT) tendon that passes through the center of each beam and the wall piers. The use of diagonal steel reinforcement in the beams is eliminated, greatly simplifying construction. Recent exploratory research on isolated floor-level subassemblies has shown that the nonlinear displacements of unbonded post-tensioned coupling beams occur primarily due to the opening of gaps at the beam ends, resulting in little damage. Upon unloading, the PT tendon provides a restoring force that closes the gaps, thus, pulling the structure back towards its undeformed (“plumb”) position with little residual deformation (i.e., “self-centering” capability). Major NEES resources that will be utilized by the project and the schedule for their use are listed above. It is anticipated that the proposed tests will occupy the Real-Time Multi-Directional (RTMD) research site at Lehigh University for 12 months beginning in month 16 of the project. The need to use the RTMD site for the proposed project resides in the need to model complex boundary conditions on a large coupled wall structure under hybrid simulation. A total of three NEES actuators and four non-NEES actuators will be used together with nearly 200 channels of high-speed data acquisition (for forces, strains, deformations, and displacements), four high-resolution digital audio/video cameras, and several digital still cameras. Central NEESit collaboration, training, visualization, and data archiving/sharing resources as well as the IT resources at the RTMD site will be utilized throughout the project.
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Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Contractor for construction of upper floors identified. PO and subcontract in place for this work. Base block construction complete and some steel for upper floors in place. Instrumentation applied to all required locations. Steel bracing for upper floors has been installed. Upper floor construction to begin as soon as test results for concrete mix are determined to be acceptable. One loading block completed. Steel and forms for second loading block underway.
FY13 – Q1: Second loading block completed. Rebar, Formwork completed for first floor wall and wall poured on 12/17. Strain gages installed on wall rebar. First second floor scheduled to be poured in January of 2013.
FY13 – Q2: Second and third floors completed. Final top portion in process. Post tensioning in process.
Project 6 – Pessiki (Lehigh University) Pankow Foundation
Unbonded Post-Tensioned Cast-in-Place Concrete Walls For Seismic Resistance Project Description The objective of the research grant is to attain test data to confirm and codify a design protocol for a new type of cast-in-place concrete shear wall system that incorporates vertical posttensioned tendons. We aim to deliver a complete design procedure ready to be employed on actual commercial building construction projects in all seismic zones. The defining feature of the hybrid wall system is the rocking/flexural response and self-centering capability provided by unbounded vertical post-tensioned tendons coupled with the energy dissipation provided by the reinforcing bars. The new system has the potential to significantly reduce the cost of building seismically safe concrete structures using currently available construction methods and materials. Structural engineers would use the final work product to design buildings for the ultimate benefit of the general public.
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Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: The development of closed-form expressions for key response parameters for the walls is completed, and final verification of the closed-form expressions is nearing completion. The detailed design of the first two-wall specimens is completed. The design of major components of the test fixture is completed. Reinforcing and prestressing materials were ordered for the first wall specimen, and the reinforcing was delivered to the laboratory. Fabrication of reinforcing cage for the foundation block is completed, and fabrication of the reinforcing cage for the wall is about to commence. Prefabricated formwork components have been selected, requested, and delivered to the laboratory. Instrumentation plans are being developed.
FY13 – Q1: The development and verification of closed-form expressions for key response parameters for the unbonded post-tensioned cast-in-place special RC walls is completed. The detailed design of the first two wall specimens is completed, and fabrication of the first specimen is in progress. The design of major components of the test fixture is completed Modeling of walls is done using Finite Element software DRAIN-2DX. The fiber element is utilized to model the reinforced concrete wall and nonlinear truss element for the unbonded post-tensioned steel. This model used to performed nonlinear static pushover analysis, nonlinear cyclic analysis and nonlinear dynamic time history analysis. Three different types of analysis are performed to study the behavior of the wall. Nonlinear static analysis is used to determine the corresponding limit states such as yielding of post-tensioned steel, fracture of mild steel and crushed of confined concrete. At each limit states the strength and deformation of walls are examined and compared. Nonlinear cyclic analysis is performed to see the performance of wall with regard to its self-center capability and ability to dissipate energy. Finally nonlinear dynamic time history analysis is done to validate the performance of the wall under certain earthquake demands based on assumed seismic performance factors used for designing the wall. Testing is anticipated to begin in April 2013.
FY13 – Q2: Construction of the first wall test specimen continued during the 2nd quarter of FY2013. Previously, construction was delayed by extensive delays in receiving donated materials for the wall
68 specimens. Construction of the first wall test specimen will be completed and the first wall will be tested during the 3rd quarter of FY2013. Construction of the second wall test specimen will begin during the 3rd quarter of FY2013.
Previously, the development and verification of closed-form expressions for key response parameters for unbonded post-tensioned cast-in-place special RC walls is completed. The detailed design of the first two wall specimens was completed, and design of major components of the test fixture was completed in FY2012. Modeling of the walls was done using the Finite Element software DRAIN-2DX. The fiber element is utilized to model the reinforced concrete wall and nonlinear truss element for the unbonded post-tensioned steel. This model was used to performed nonlinear static pushover analysis, nonlinear cyclic analysis and nonlinear dynamic time history analysis in FY2012. During the 2nd quarter of FY 2013, similar Finite Element models were developed using OpenSEES.
Project 7 – Ricles (Lehigh University) PITA
Performance-Based Design For Cost-Effective Seismic Hazard Mitigation In Buildings Using Supplemental Passive Damper Systems Project Description The project will design two steel-framed prototype buildings as the context for the research. For the proposed study, large-scale elastomeric dampers will be placed in the structure. Analytical and experimental studies will be conducted on the building. Characterization tests will first be performed to enable models of the damper to be developed. These models will subsequently be used in the analytical studies. The analytical studies will involve nonlinear time history analysis of the buildings, with the results used to generate fragility curves for prescribed response quantities. The fragility curves will establish the probability of limit states occurring that will in turn enable an assessment of the whether design objectives have been achieved. The experimental studies will provide an experimental validation of the design procedure. The experimental studies will utilize state-of-the-art procedures, and involve the use of the real-time hybrid simulation method to impose seismic loading on a scale model of the lateral load resisting system for the building. Project Progress
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Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: The revised prototype elastomeric damper (2nd generation) was manufactured in the 2nd quarter of FY2012, and characterization tests of this damper were completed during the 3rd and 4th quarters of FY2012. Hybrid earthquake simulations using these dampers (with the dampers in a test fixture on the strong floor) were completed in the 4th quarter of FY2012. During the 1st quarter of FY2013, 20 2nd generation elastomeric dampers will be fabricated for installation into the large-scale steel frame (DBF) structure in the laboratory. Hybrid earthquake simulations of the DBF structure with these dampers will be conducted during the 2nd and 3rd quarter of FY2013.
The characterization tests of the viscous dampers were completed during the 3rd quarter of FY2012. Hybrid earthquake simulations using these dampers (with the dampers in a test fixture on the strong floor) were completed during the 3rd quarter of FY2012. The steel frame (DBF) structure to be used by the project was damaged during testing by another project during the 3rd quarter of FY2012. The DBF was repaired and the viscous dampers were installed in the DBF during the 4th quarter of FY2012. Hybrid simulations with the dampers in the DBF structure were initiated in the 4th quarter of FY2012 and will continue into the 1st quarter of FY2013.
Project 8 – Fleischman (University of Arizona) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 1135033
NEESR: Inertial Force Limiting Floor Anchorage Systems for Seismic-Resistant Building Structures Project Description The objective of the proposed research is to develop new knowledge of the dynamic behavior of building structures with an innovative floor anchorage system that reduces inertial forces while maintaining a centered floor. With this knowledge, the research will determine the appropriate design parameters for this system to produce optimal seismic performance for a variety of building geometries and properties. The ultimate goal of the research is to produce feasible prototype designs for one or more candidate structures that can be used in dissemination of the concept to the practice.
Project Progress
70 Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Preliminary analytical studies needed to plan Phase 1 of the experiments at the Lehigh ES were completed during the 3rd quarter of FY 2012. Conceptual design of the specimens for these experiments is completed. During detailed design of the specimens during the 4th quarter of FY2012, cost estimates for the specimens indicated that it would not be possible to construct one set of specimens for Phase 1 and a second set for Phase 2. Therefore the Phase 1 specimens have been re- designed (during the 4th quarter of FY 2012) so they will work for Phase 2. Construction of the specimens will begin during November 2012.
FY13 – Q1: "Construction of the combined Phase1/Phase2 specimens began during the 1st quarter of FY2013. Donated materials (buckling-restrained braces, rubber bearings) and reduced-cost materials (pin load cells and other rubber bearings) were received during the 1st quarter of FY2013. Construction should be completed during the 2nd quarter of FY2013 and Phase 1 testing will initiate.
During detailed design of the Phase 1 specimens during the 4th quarter of FY2012, cost estimates for the specimens indicated that it would not be possible to construct one set of specimens for Phase 1 and a second set of specimens for Phase 2. Therefore the Phase 1 specimens were re-designed during the 4th quarter of FY2012 so they will work for Phase 2.
Preliminary analytical studies needed to plan Phase 1 of the experiments at the Lehigh ES were completed during the 3rd quarter of FY2012. Conceptual design of the specimens for these experiments was completed during the 3rd quarter of FY2012."
FY13 – Q2: Construction of the combined Phase1/Phase2 specimens began during the 1st quarter of FY2013 and continued through the 2nd quarter of FY 2013. Donated materials (buckling-restrained braces, rubber bearings) and reduced-cost materials (pin load cells and other rubber bearings) were received during the 1st quarter of FY2013. Delays (and errors) in fabrication of critical fixtures (attaching the specimen to the strong floor) prevented construction from being completed during the 2nd quarter of FY2013. Construction should be completed during the 3rd quarter of FY2013 and Phase 1 testing will initiate.
During detailed design of the Phase 1 specimens during the 4th quarter of FY2012, cost estimates for the specimens indicated that it would not be possible to construct one set of specimens for Phase 1 and a second set of specimens for Phase 2. Therefore the Phase 1 specimens were re-designed during the 4th quarter of FY2012 so they would work for Phase 2.
Preliminary analytical studies needed to plan Phase 1 of the experiments at the Lehigh ES were completed during the 3rd quarter of FY2012. Conceptual design of the specimens for these experiments was completed during the 3rd quarter of FY2012.
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Project 9 – Shing (University of California-San Diego) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 1208208 NEESR: Enhancement of Seismic Performance and Design of Partially Grouted Reinforced Masonry Buildings Project Description Most of the reinforced masonry structures in the US are low-rise buildings, which can be used for commercial and industrial purposes, public facilities, and schools. Occasionally, they are also used for multi-story hotels, college dormitories, and apartments. In the West Coast, most reinforced masonry construction is fully grouted to assure acceptable seismic performance. Nevertheless, for economic reasons, almost all reinforced masonry structures constructed outside the West Coast, including those in regions of high seismic risk, are partially grouted. The seismic performance of partially-grouted reinforced masonry wall systems is not well understood, especially at the system level, and recent studies have shown that current code provisions for these systems may not be adequate and could be unconservative. The proposed research is to address this critical issue with the following goals. 1. Develop and validate economically competitive, improved, design details to make partially- grouted, reinforced masonry structures better meet current seismic performance standards. 2. Develop and validate effective retrofit methods for existing partially-grouted reinforced masonry structures that may not meet current performance standards. 3. Assess the seismic performance of partially-grouted reinforced masonry walls at the system level. 4. Based on experimental data generated in this research and previous studies, improve the shear strength formula in the masonry design code for partially-grouted walls. 5. Based on experimental data obtained in this research and previous studies, develop reliable and efficient analytical models that can be used to assess the seismic performance of such systems and that can be used in demanding numerical simulations to determine the values of structural seismic performance fact This research will use large-scale structural testing facilities at three NEES sites as well as refined computational tools to enhance our understanding of the mechanics and inelastic behavior of these structures at the component and system levels, and to validate the proposed design and retrofit methods.
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Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: None
FY13 – Q1: Kick-off meeting held 10/16/2012. Lehigh budget and in-kind contributions a major part of the conversation. Second meeting 12/19/2012. Lehigh able to obtain in-kind contribution for forms and AMK construction (contractor for Kurama) has agreed to build the masonry walls for free. Research team to track down the other in-kind items (grout, mortar, concrete and rebar).
FY13 – Q2: Specimen design & project planning continues.
Project 10 – Fahnestock (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 1207976
NEESR: Reserve Capacity in New and Existing Low-Ductility Steel Braced Frames Project Description The proposed research aims to understand at a fundamental level the influence of reserve capacity on the seismic performance of low-ductility steel concentrically-braced frames up to the point of collapse. This understanding will enable the development of cost-effective strategies for accurately assessing existing structures and confidently designing new structures in this important sector of the national infrastructure.
Low-ductility steel braced frame structures comprise a significant portion of the national building stock, yet their inelastic seismic response is not well understood. While these structures have brittle brace elements and connections, they can achieve system ductility if their gravity framing and gusset plate connections act partially-restrained after braces fracture. These partially-restrained connections form a “reserve” moment frame system that can prevent sideways collapse even when the primary lateral force resisting system (LFRS) is significantly damaged. When required, reserve capacity can be enhanced 73
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without significant expense. Performance assessment guidelines for new and existing buildings in high seismic regions set restrictions that ignore reserve capacity and imply close correlation between component failure and system collapse. This can lead to costly retrofits or decommissioning of buildings that might actually resist collapse under a maximum considered earthquake. In contrast, the R = 3 provision for steel structures in low and moderate seismic regions implicitly relies on reserve capacity for collapse prevention, even though the nature of this reserve capacity is not well-understood and can vary widely. Ignoring reserve capacity in high seismic regions wastes valuable resources, while relying on it without proper understanding in moderate seismic regions jeopardizes safety. Thus, there is an essential need for clarity and consistency in considering reserve capacity for seismic design and assessment in all seismic regions. Fundamentally, a reserve system is more flexible than a primary LFRS, hence reserve capacity activates after significant damage to the LFRS. This stiffness incompatibility between reserve system and primary LFRS differentiates reserve capacity conceptually from redundancy provided by extra LFRS elements. Foundational understanding of reserve capacity will provide broad national benefit by establishing an economical and reliable framework for design of new buildings in low and moderate seismic regions and for evaluation of existing buildings in all seismic regions of the U.S. These significant contributions will be accomplished through large-scale testing using NEES@Lehigh and integrated design studies, computational simulations and performance assessments.
Intellectual Merit: The proposed research will address the NEHRP strategic priorities of developing performance based seismic design and improving techniques for evaluating and rehabilitating existing structures. It will extend fundamental understanding of collapse for structural systems with significant strength and stiffness discontinuities through large-scale tests and system model calibration. The research will enable the relationship between cost and ductility to be reconceived. Whereas a majority of seismic research has traditionally focused on developing details to achieve a given level of ductility, with cost playing a secondary role, this research will place priority on reducing cost while recognizing that significant performance may be achieved with modest ductility levels. A new seismic design philosophy based on system reserve capacity will be developed to complement the philosophy of ductility.
Broader Impacts: The philosophy of system reserve capacity developed out of this research will open new possibilities for designing and assessing structures in all seismic regions – with special importance for moderate seismic regions, renovation in high seismic regions and the design of special structures. This philosophy, which prioritizes cost reduction over achieving optimum levels of ductility, can also significantly impact design in developing countries who cannot afford to produce the seismic details that have become standards in the United States. While this work focuses on steel structures, the scope of reserve capacity is much broader and more general. Once understood in the context of steel, reserve capacity may also find uses in other materials and systems both in the United States and abroad. One of the investigators is a principal at a leading East Coast design firm and through his design work the results of this research will be integrated immediately into practice. Wider integration will follow through the investigators’ ongoing work on NEHRP issue teams and AISC research and technical committees.
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Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: None
FY13 – Q1: Kick-off meeting held with PI on Sept 10. Discussed schedule, budget, preliminary test schedule, graduate and REU students. Need follow-on discussion with Lehigh PI to discuss Hybrid testing. Sent draft SUA and ESUF to Dr. Fahnestock.
FY13 – Q2: Specimen design and project planning continues. Testing tentatively planned for Sept., 2013.
Site Readiness Narratives Site Safety Task FY 2012 – Q4 FY 2013 – Q1 FY 2013 – Q2 Last Revision of Safety Plan 7/19/2012 11/12/2012 11/12/2012 Reportable Injuries 0 0 1
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PMCR Progress FY 2012
FY 2013
For FY12, NEES@Lehigh nearly completed all activities associated with PMCR. For fiscal year 2013, the facility is behind the network average of progress. It is anticipated that the facility will complete all PMCR activities outline in the annual work plan.
PMCR Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Maintenance MTS performed maintenance on site hydraulic system during the week of Sept 15. Calibration MTS calibration and maintenance visit planned for Sept, 2012. 76
Repair New pump parts received early Q4. Will be installed in Q4. Q4: Pump installation delayed to Q1, 2013.
FY13 – Q1: Maintenance Nothing planned
Calibration Actuator 1 and 5 calibrated with both control systems. Pacific Instruments Calibartion planned for April 2013. MTS calibration for actuators 2, 3 and 4 planned for early April as well.
Repair Two valves (A & K) sent to MTS for repair. Valve K had a small leak. Valve A demonstrated some problems during calibration and was sent to MTS for evaluation.
FY13 – Q2: Maintenance Nothing planned
Calibration Calibrations for Actuators 2, 3 and 4 delayed until 5/13 week.
Repair Valves received from MTS. Received supplement to repair actuator #5 and retrofit with a one-piece position rod. Received quotation for Yates Industries for work.
Network Requirements EOT
EOT Category Fiscal Year and Quarter FY12 / Q4 FY13 / Q1 FY13 / Q2 Total Number of NEES Events 4 2 4 Total Number of Participants 37 6 81 Total Number of Events Engaging Practitioners 0 0 3 Total Number of Engaged Practitioners 0 0 13
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Capacity Building and Network Initiatives Progress FY 2012
FY 2013
For FY12, NEES@Lehigh completed all activities associated with Capacity Building and Network Initiatives. For fiscal year 2013, it is anticipated that the facility will complete all CBI and Network initiatives activities outline in the annual work plan.
78 Capacity Building and Network Initiative Activity Narrative Facility Enhancements: FY2012 – Q4: Kurama testing delayed due to delays with specimen construction. Wineman controller will be calibrated with two NEES actuators in October 2012.
FY2013 – Q1: Two NEES Actuators were calibrated with Wineman controller. Calibration procedures were developed with MTS. On extensine prove-in procedure was competed in the summer of 2012 to ensure that results obtained for RTHTs using the Servotest controller matched results with the Wineman controller. Cables and tempononic convertors for actuators 2,3 and 4 have to be completed.
FY2013 – Q2: Work continues on required hardware (cables) for remaining three actuators.
IT Community Activities: FY2012 – Q4: No Activity
FY2013 – Q1: No Activity
FY2013 – Q2: Potential flaws found when using the NEEShub PEN tool and discussions with NEEScomm and NEES IT managers help facilitate potential changes for PEN to ensure reliability for community data uploads into NEES Project Warehouse.
Network EOT: FY2012 – Q4: REU program completed for 8 students. Students supported ongoing research projects at Lehigh site, toured local manufacturing facilities, participated in local and network development activities and attended the NEES Annual meeting and YRS.
FY2013 – Q1: Site submitted proposal for 2013 NEES REU program. Selected as NEES REU site for 2013 and slated to receive 5 students. Site also submitted propsoal to PITA for additional REU funding and is waiting for a response.
FY2013 – Q2: Completed and submitted APD for general tours. REU selection completed. Planning for summer EOT activities and requirements underway.
Network Resource Sharing: None
Annualized Equipment Maintenance None
Supplemental Awards and Major Equipment Repair (1) Purchased NI and other equipment required to support Kurama data acquisition and control requirements. (2) Site received supplement of $69,500 for Research engineer support for FY2013. One quarter of this funding expended ($24,626).
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4.3 Oregon State University
Scaled (1:5) model shipping container impacting a column tested at the NEES Tsunami Facility. The research focus, led by PI Ronald Riggs from University of Hawaii, is to improve our understanding of, and predictive capabilities for, tsunami-driven debris impact forces on structures. (a) Oblique view of a model shipping container prior to arrival of tsunami bore, (b) underwater image of shipping container impacting load cell mounted on column, (c) rectified plan view of shipping container carried by tsunami toward the column with tracking algorithm for position, rotation, and velocity .
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Oregon State University – Tsunami Research Facility Annual Facility Snapshot Narrative FY 2013
Site Personnel
Solomon Yim, PI David Trejo (Acting Director) Cherri Pancake, Co-PI Harry Yeh, Co-PI Melora Park, NEES Site Operations Manager Tim Maddux, Laboratory Manager James Batti, Electronics Technician Michael Dyson, Technician Jason Killian, Technician Leanne Lai, IT Manager Alicia Lyman-Holt, Education & Outreach Coordinator Adam Ryan, Software Research Engineer/IT Support Ben Steinberg, Software Research Engineer/IT Support
OSU NEES Tsunami Research Facility staff bottom row left to right: Alicia Lyman-Holt, Ben Steinberg, Melora Park, Solomon Yim, Cherri Pancake, Leanne Lai. Top row from left to right: Jason Killian, Michael Dyson, Adam Ryan, Bill McDougal (former Director), Tim Maddux, James Batti. Not shown: Harry Yeh, David Trejo.
82 Budget Summary Annual Work Plan Distribution Reported Distribution Work Breakdown Structure FY 2013 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2012 (Q1 and Q2) Shared-Use Research Support $400,449 $400,449 $371,889 $187,758 Site Readiness $263,451 $263,451 $144,525 $ 84,499 Network Requirements $297,221 $297,221 $237,431 $99,659 IT Community Activities $66,044 $66,045 $64,017 $3,212 Facility Enhancement Activities $27,029 $27,029 $70,103 $7,459 Network EOT $46,819 $46,819 $33,045 $12,282 Annualized Equipment Maintenance - - - - Network Resource Sharing - - - - Total $1,101,013 $1,101,014 $921,010 $394,869 *All values obtained from quarterly financial reports submitted by facilities. Actual values are reconciled by the business office.
Figure 33: Cumulative Reported and Planned Expenditures According to WBS for FY 2012
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Figure 34: Cumulative Reported and Planned Expenditures According to WBS for Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 of FY 2013
Shared-Use Research Average Project Support Progress All NEES facilities, as a part of their annual work plan, submit proposed project completion percentages for all supported projects during that fiscal year. Progress is reported quarterly and tracked by NEEScomm. The following figure represents the average reported progress for all supported projects compared to the target completion percentage as outlined in the annual work plan. A similar graph is shown for each project.
84 Using the percent progress for each project, equivalent projects are determined for each site. As an example, if a facility completed 50% of two projects and 25% of a third in a certain fiscal year, that facility has completed 1.25 equivalent projects. Fiscal Year Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Planned
Equivalent Number of Completed 2012 0.13 1.39 1.56 1.87 2.35 Projects
2013 0.35 1.07 - - 1.88
For FY12, NEES@OSU planned, according to their AWP, that they would be 70% complete with all projects at the facility, on average. By the end of FY12 NEES@OSU had reached a 60% average completion. Based on the reports receive through Q2 and the average rate of project completion for fiscal year 2013, it is anticipated that NEES@OSU will meet the planned project completion.
Project 1 – Fritz (Georgia Institute of Technology Savannah) NSF-NEESR, CMMI – 0936603
NEESR-CR: Tsunami Generation by Landslides: Integrating Laboratory Scale Experiments, Numerical Models and Natural Scale Applications Project Description This award is an outcome of the NSF 09-524 program solicitation "George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) Research (NEESR)" competition and includes the Georgia Institute of Technology (lead institution), the University of Alaska, Fairbanks (subaward), and Texas A&M University, Galveston (subaward). This project will utilize the NEES tsunami wave basin at Oregon State University.
Tsunamis are commonly associated with submarine earthquakes, such as the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which are limited in wave height by seafloor displacement. In contrast, landslide and volcanic eruption generated tsunamis are typically regionally confined but account for all known localized heights exceeding 100 meters. Some of the most catastrophic tsunamis are produced by volcanic eruptions and landslides. The two deadliest non-tectonic tsunamis in the past 300 years were due to gravitational or eruptive volcanic island collapses at Mount Unzen and Krakatoa. For some earthquakes, such as the 2006 South Java tsunami with 600 fatalities, it has been proposed that the large tsunamis were triggered by failure of the sea floor in the form of giant submarine landslides.
This project's long-term goal is to transform assessment and mitigation of the landslide tsunami hazard through hybrid modeling of landslide tsunami evolution in real world scenarios, where the generation, propagation, and run up stages overlap. Rare field measurements are mostly limited to landslide scarp, deposit, tsunami run up, and eyewitness accounts, while critically important data related to the landslide motion and tsunami evolution is lacking. The goal of the research is to compensate for missing data by combined physical and numerical modeling of fully three-dimensional landslide tsunami scenarios. The proposed work builds upon the developed, NSF-supported (NEESR-SG award CMMI- 0421090), deformable landslide tsunami generator, which enables full control of the dynamic landslide parameters. Towards this goal, the following significant objectives will be achieved in this project: (1) analysis of landslide tsunami generation and source run up scenarios - the characteristics of historical landslides and tsunamis will be used to generate linked laboratory and numerical models of landslide 85
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tsunamis; (2) experimental program at tsunami wave basin - a joint numerical modeling and experimental program will be designed based on well-constrained, real-world landslide generated tsunami and near-source run up scenarios. Particular focus is on the source with backward run up for conical island scenarios and the multiple run up in confined fjord-like bays; and (3) validation of landslide generated tsunami models - the measured landslide and tsunami characteristics will be compared to existing real world observations providing a validation for physical, analytical and numerical models used in this research. This research enhances knowledge, understanding and modeling of landslide generated tsunamis towards mitigation of the deadliest, non-tectonic tsunami hazard. Originality of the proposed work is based on its interdisciplinary nature combining experimental and numerical modeling with geology, volcanology, and geophysics.
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY13 – Q4: All data files including known files required for curation have been uploaded to the Project Warehouse. OSU considers this project to be completed at our end.
Project 2 – Liu (Cornell University) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 1041541
NEESR-SD: Measuring Run up and bed shear stress using long stroke wave-makers Project Description Based on the observations during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunamis, it is evident that the leading tsunami waves could have various forms: undulating bores and long waves with a leading depression. It is certain that theses leading waves are not solitary waves. A new paradigm needs to be established for experimental tsunami research. As tsunamis inundated and flooded the land, they often left behind widespread sediment deposits. If the properties of tsunami deposits can be correlated with the flow depth, velocity, and wave characteristics of tsunamis, the dated deposits will allow estimates of times and recurrence intervals of past tsunamis. Since the sediment transport processes are primarily driven
86 by the flow turbulence and bed shear stresses, it is essential to have an in-depth understanding on the evolution of near bed flows driven by the leading waves of tsunamis, in particular the bed shear stress. Responding to the research needs mentioned above, we propose the following research activities:
• Develop and implement algorithms for the new wave maker at the large wave flume at Oregon State University so that different types of leading tsunami wave forms, including bores and N- waves can be simulated in the NEES tsunami facilities; • Measure and analyze run up heights of various leading tsunami wave forms on a plane beach; • Design and install a new instrument package for measuring bottom shear stress in the NEES tsunami facilities; • Measure and analyze bottom shear stress under various leading tsunami wave forms at different locations on a plane beach. We anticipate the following scientific contribution to the tsunami research community: • Better understanding of run up heights and the temporal and spatial variation of bed shear stress under various leading tsunami wave forms on a plane beach; • A new instrument package for measuring bottom shear stress to be used in the NEES tsunami facilities for future research.
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: This phase of data was uploaded to the Project Warehouse along with all known required files requested for curation this quarter.
FY13 – Q1: Setup for this project began in mid-December. Prior to that, the PI and site reviewed the experimental plan, instrumentation setup, and specimen design and construction. We updated the ESUF. BY the end of the quarter, the beach bathymetry was constructed, PI specimen platform was installed, site instrumentation was installed, and some of the PI instrumentation was available for fitting and installation. The training and most importantly, experience from testing last year during phase I 87
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meant that the PI and Graduate student were well prepared with a manageable experimental plan and ready on time with construction of specimen components and specialized instrumentation.
FY13 – Q2: During experimental testing at the facility in January, the PI's graduate student worked with the site to complete the required curation metadata and documents for the first phase of testing. Based on his understanding of the curation requirements, he populated the metadata during this second phase of testing and provided phase documents before he departed from the facility. OSU finalized its portion of the data management process and uploaded all data, associated metadata and documents as required by curation. Based on our experience and the curation checklist, the project should only be missing the final reports. DOI titles and keywords were incorporated into the experimental descriptions which are items required by the curator. The site has modified its automated upload procedures to insert the experiment DOI titles at the Project Warehouse. A continuing web services problem prevents us from uploading keywords into the Project Warehouse. As agreed upon with the curator, the site uploads these keywords into the experimental description. We have asked the curator to look through the project and provide feedback on missing or inadequate items. We expect to provide a small amount of support to the PI over the next two quarters, in order to complete curation of this project.
Project 3 – Riggs (University of Hawaii) NSF-NEESR, CMMI-1041666
NEESR-CR: Impact Forces from Tsunami-Driven Debris Project Description The objective of this research project is to improve our understanding of, and predictive capabilities for, tsunami-driven debris impact forces on structures. Of special interest are shipping containers, which are virtually everywhere and which will float even when fully loaded. The forces from such debris hitting structures, for example evacuation shelters and critical port facilities such as fuel storage tanks, are currently not known. We will carry out experiments at NEES@OSU and NEES@Lehigh to improve our understanding of low speed impact of heavy debris and to develop and validate two numerical models: a simplified model that can be used for design, and a more complex fluid-structure interaction model based on computational fluid dynamics. This simulation-based model will allow us to explore complex parameters not included in the simple model and to consider scenarios not covered by experiments.
For the experiments at the NEES@Lehigh facility, we will quantify experimentally the nonlinear behavior of full scale shipping containers as they slam into structural elements "in air". These results will be used to calibrate our computational models. The experimental and model results will be used to design a simpler, 1:5 scale model that mimics container behavior for a second series of tests at the NEES@OSU Tsunami Research Facility. In these tests, tsunami "waves" will drive the model debris against a test structure. These tests will provide actual data from water-driven debris, which will be used to validate numerical models developed at UH. The OSU tests will also shed light on the amplification that may result from the surrounding fluid mass. Similar tests will be conducted for "woody" debris, such as logs and telephone poles.
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Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: This project completed testing in late September 2012, and the demolition of the project was nearly completed by the end of the fiscal year. Next fiscal year will involve the finalizing the metadata, managing and archiving the video data, and uploading required data and metadata to the project warehouse.
FY13 – Q1: Testing for this project ended in late FY2012. Supporting the PI in the demolition of the wave absorbing rock and removal of the associated instrumentation required another week of personnel support. The beach was also rebuilt to its standard 1:12 configuration in preparation for the fall Tsunami Structure Challenge and also the next project coming into the Flume (NEESR Shearplate PI Liu). This quarter, metadata, data and video data was finalized, the upload and finalization of the data to the Project Warehouse is underway. Effort continues at our end to support our researchers in meeting the requirements of the NEES curation process. Often this involves interaction with both the curator and the PI followed by upload of additional material. Since there is a lag in the curation process, we expect to provide continued effort to support the finalization of this project throughout the remainder of the fiscal year.
FY13 – Q2: Late this quarter, the PI's graduate student completed the experimental metadata in the Tsunami Experiment Databank. Specific metadata examples required for curation were provided to the PI and student. In addition, DOI titles and keywords were incorporated into the experimental descriptions which are items required by the curator. The site has modified its automated upload procedures to insert the experiment DOI titles at the Project Warehouse. A continuing web services problem prevents us from uploading keywords into the Project Warehouse. As agreed upon with the curator, the site uploads these keywords into the experimental description. We have asked the curator to look through the project and provide feedback on missing or inadequate items. We expect to provide a small amount of support to the PI over the next two quarters, in order to complete curation of OSU's portion of the testing. 89
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Project 4 – Foster (University of New Hampshire) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 1135026
NEESR: Tsunami Induced Coherent Structures and their Impact on our Coastal Infrastructure Project Description The destruction from earthquake-induced tsunamis in the U.S. and other Pacific Rim countries can result in considerably more damage and deaths than the seismic ground motion. The goal of tsunami research is to save lives and reduce economic losses. To do this, we must develop sufficient scientific knowledge and appropriate engineering tools on which to base comprehensive tsunami mitigation plans and communicate this information effectively to decision makers, the emergency planning community and the public. The overarching theme of this effort is to formulate the complex processes affecting our coastal structures that are driven or affected by turbulent coherent structures (TCS). The role of wall bounded TCS in multiple forcing environments will be examined. Near the seabed, sediment pickup and transport can be significantly enhanced by TCS, leading to extreme scour and infrastructure failure. In the horizontal plane, TCS can appear as giant whirlpools and are commonly associated with extreme damage in ports and harbors. Extensive experiments will be performed at the Oregon State University (OSU), using the Large Wave Flume (LWF) to study the fine detail of TCS significance on nearbed processes, such as mobilization and transport of sediment, as well as the Tsunami Wave Basin (TWB) to characterize the complete hydrodynamic structure of a large, horizontal TCS generated by a port. The observations will be complimented with a wide-reaching numerical effort. To study the detailed TCS generation and its effects on sediment suspension due to transient long wave motion, we will use 3D turbulence resolving simulation models, with grid resolutions on the order of 1 mm. Fully coupled with the flow models will be Discrete Element Models for individual sediment particles, permitting grain- resolving simulation of tsunami-induced transport. Coupling the LWF and the TWB results with the fine resolution numerical tools will allow for predictions of bed mobilization, scour, and harbor wall forces for a generic tsunami problem, including the combined forcing of the mean "uniform" tsunami flow and the very localized, complex velocities due to TCS.
The broader impacts of the proposed activities are to ultimately reduce the loss of life and property due to tsunamis through assessing population at risk needs to be aware of the associated risk and be prepared to respond in case of a tsunami warning. Here, we take a two-pronged approach to public education of the hazards possible during a tsunami event. First, a program targeting middle and high school students in coastal states will be closely connected to the experimental research proposed in the TWB. Students will formulate a harbor tsunami response plan that will be implemented and tested in the TWB. Second, we identify several ways to enhance the transfer of our intellectual efforts to various stakeholders. Our knowledge transfer to engineering practitioners will take the place with 2-3 webinars regarding harbor design, sediment scour, and sediment liquefaction. These webinars will provide information regarding both existing design practices as well as new knowledge gained. The practitioners will be receiving professional development credit and the sessions will be recorded on the NEEShub for future use.
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Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: The site continues to assist previous researchers in adhering to increasing curation requirements and have not yet caught up with this relatively new project. In working with the researchers, we expect to complete the upload of required documents in early FY13. Experimental planning for the next phase of operation in FY13 will being in early 2013.
FY13 – Q1: Since this will be the last project of this fiscal year, discussion for the details of the project have not yet begun.
FY13 – Q2: The facility focus this quarter was planning, preparing and executing the other three NEES projects this year, including construction of the removable beach needed for the Irish project. Planning and preparation for this project will begin in Q3.
Project 5 – Reimers (Oregon State University) NSF, OCE - 1061218 Continental Shelf Benthic Oxygen Fluxes Determined by Eddy Correlation in the Presence of Wave Motions Project Description Within the last decade, broad sections of the Oregon-Washington continental shelf located in the northern California Current System have been affected by severe hypoxia during the summer upwelling season. Mass balances of dissolved oxygen on the shelf indicate oxygen uptake of sediments is greater than estimated from benthic flux measurements using traditional benthic chambers and microprofiles. The most probable explanation for this imbalance is uncharacterized temporal and spatial variability in the major physical and biological processes contributing to on-shelf oxygen utilization. A scientist from Oregon State University (OSU) plans to determine the magnitude and variability of benthic oxygen fluxes on the inner and middle Oregon shelf and the contribution of wave-induced motions to these fluxes using the eddy correlation (EC) technique. This technique assumes that a direct vertical flux estimate can 91
Volume 2: NEES Network Site Activities be obtained by measuring the covariance between fluctuations of oxygen and fluctuations of vertical velocity above the seabed. To attain the goal, both wave flume experiments and field measurements using the EC lander will be carried out. Initially, EC measurements in the presence of energetic waves will be studied in the large wave flume at OSU's Hinsdale Wave Research Facility which is the largest wave channel of its type in North America. The purpose of the wave flume experiments is to experimentally verify the best approaches to data collection, averaging, and coordinate rotation to derive unbiased fluxes in the presence of waves and a sandy bed. In addition, the wave-turbulence decomposition method will be applied to quantify wave contributions to seafloor oxygen exchange and to document the sequence of bedforms and pore water profiles that evolve in response to stepwise increases and decreases in wave height. Once the wave flume experiments have been completed, four 8-day research cruises will be carried out to make measurements on the Oregon shelf over 3 years during spring, summer and fall conditions. The sites to be targeted are characterized by permeable sands at 25 to 85 m water depth and can exhibit ripples. Ancillary measurements will include bottom water dissolved oxygen, nutrients, pigment concentration, temperature and salinity, whereas sediment cores will be subsampled for bulk permeability measurements and profiles of 210Pb, organic carbon, nitrogen, grain size, and pigments.
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Project was completed in Q2 of FY 2012.
92 Project 6 – Kaihatu (Texas Engineering Experiment Station (TAMU)) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 1208147 NEESR: Interaction of Tsunamis with Short Waves and Bottom Sediment - Numerical and Physical Modeling Project Description The interaction between short ocean waves and long transient tsunamis is studied in conjunction with sediment transport process. This is in keeping with the theme of the study of tsunami-generated processes in concert with natural oceanographic processes, and will be done from two viewpoints: that of the tsunami's effect on the transported and reworked sediment bed; and that of the effect of the sediment load on the transporting power of the tsunami. Numerical modeling will form the backbone of this work, with physical modeling providing data for process study, parameterization and validation. A sophisticated model based on smoothed particle hydrodynamics will be tightly integrated into the experimental plan. Experiments are planned for the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) Large Wave Flume Facility at Oregon State University during the first two years. The first set of experiments will focus on evaluating the transport power of the tsunami in order to develop the pickup function and other parameterizations for the transport model. The second set of experiments will investigate full bed evolution. In all experiments, forcing will consist of tsunamis and combined tsunami-swell conditions. Measurements will be comprised of: free surface elevations; near- bottom velocities (from acoustic Doppler velocimeters); sediment concentration (from vertical stacks of optical and acoustic backscatter devices); and vertical velocity profiles (via pairs of upward/downward looking pulse-coherent acoustic Doppler profilers). These measurements will also be used to evaluate the dissipation of the tsunami in several different ways. To gage the degree of sediment reworking and redistribution under a tsunami, sediment samples will be analyzed using a digital-optical grain size analyzer. Data from this project will be archived and made available to the public through the NEES Project Warehouse/data repository (http://www.nees.org). e information is provided since final approval for this project is pending.
Project Progress
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Activity Narrative FY13 – Q1: Discussions began with the PI and his experimental team this quarter regarding the schedule, the bathymetry, instrumentation and experimental plan. The bathymetry of the flume was decided on, and the resulting unique configuration will require machining several additional hardware components that are used to construct the LWF bathymetry. In addition to the site bathymetry, a specimen containment box will be built within the beach structure and filled with a combination of Oregon beach sand (on site) and Accusand (purchased by PI). Discussions have begun on the extensive collection of instrumentation that the PI is planning to bring and deploy. Site instrumentation being requested is relatively small compared to the overall instrumentation being used. So far, novel instrument mounting systems will likely need to be constructed in order to deploy the arrays of instrumentation.
FY13 – Q2: This quarter, experimental planning and design occurred. A complex bathymetry was selected which included a section in the flume that was filled with both on-site Oregon beach sand and a top layer of artificial sand. The PI plan included deployment of an extensive number of outside instruments, and discussions occurred on methods for mounting and deploying the sensors that are not a normal part of our inventory. Initial setup involving construction of the bathymetry and deployment of a subset of the total instruments took two weeks. This was followed by a week of testing, and then another week of reconfiguration. The project concluded with two full weeks of testing followed by removal of the specimens and instrumentation. While on-site, the PI was trained on metadata and data products required for curation. To reinforce the requirements, the site worked with the curator during this time as well to successfully complete the curation of his previous payload project. Once the site has completed the upload of all data and metadata products for this phase of testing (anticipated occurring in Q3), the first phase of this project will be completed. There is one more phase of testing planned for FY2014.
Project 6 – Irish (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 1206271
NEESR: Tsunami Run-up and Withdrawal Dynamics on a Sloping Beach with Discontinuous Macro- Roughness Project Description Tsunamis are a leading natural threat to coastal communities, and events such as the 2011 Japan, 2010 Chile, and 2004 Indian Ocean tsunamis caused widespread, crippling damages to coastal infrastructure. Yet, these events also revealed the role of mangroves and other vegetation as sustainable mitigation against tsunami hazard. The overarching goal of this research is to develop a quantitative understanding of tsunami inundation in regions with coastal forests. This project combines detailed fluid dynamics modeling with physical experiments to study tsunami inundation in the presence of discontinuous coastal forest. The transformative nature of this research lies in studying the effects of multi-scale processes on the large-scale tsunami inundation dynamics relevant for improving tsunami mitigation and preparedness. Laboratory experiments will be used to study inundation in discontinuous forest, represented by circular patches of cylinder arrays. Measurements will be used to quantify mean flow and turbulence statistics, the spatial flow field between two forest patches, run-up speed, and large- scale flow structures during withdrawal. Numerical analysis will be integrated with the experimental campaign to expand the parameter set for analysis and to assess the impact of temporal changes in forest characteristics.
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Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY13 – Q1: Discussions began with the PI and her experimental team this quarter regarding the schedule, the bathymetry, instrumentation and experimental plan. This will be the first project that will utilize the new removable beach in the Tsunami Wave Basin. New specimen attachment methods have been discussed and the construction of the specimens will take place on site (with student labor paid for by the project). Discussions have begun on the number and types of instrumentation that the PI is asking for. So far, novel instrument mounting systems will likely need to be constructed in order to deploy the wave gages and ADVs. Mounting systems and methods were budgeted for in anticipation of this challenge.
First time construction of the removable beach is planned to begin in late January 2013. Planning began this quarter for scheduling and assignment of effort. This activity will run concurrently with the NEES Kaihatu project underway in the Large Wave Flume. Additional supplementary fund were requested to support this effort.
FY13 – Q2: Planning for the project continued as the site assisted the PI in the specifications and costs associated with her specimens since this will be the first project to utilize the removable steel beach. In addition, the PI has hired undergraduate students on-site to build the macro-roughness elements needed for her project. These costs are recharged to the PI. These activities occurred this quarter in preparation for the start of the NEES project April 1. In preparation for the PIs arrival, the delivery and assembly of the new Tsunami Wave Basin removable steel beach occurred. A site productivity award provided much needed additional funds in order to build the beach in time for the project to occur. This activity occurred in parallel to the Kaihatu NEES project underway in the LWF. More details about this are described in the supplemental award section.
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Site Readiness Narratives Site Safety Task FY 2012 – Q4 FY 2013 – Q1 FY 2013 – Q2 Last Revision of Safety Plan 2/1/2012 02/01/2012 02/01/2012 Reportable Injuries 1 0 0
PMCR Progress FY 2012
FY 2013
For FY12, NEES@OSU completed all activities associated with PMCR. For fiscal year 2013, it is anticipated that the facility will complete all PMCR activities outlined in the annual work plan.
96 PMCR Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Maintenance Planned preventive maintenance by MTS occurred in the LWF and the TWB in early July. Other planned preventive maintenance included the replacement of an out-of-warranty network switch and blades at the campus end that services the connection between the DAQ system and the facility database and archive facility.
Calibration Calibration activities this quarter included completion and testing of automated calibrating wave gages. This provides the ability to conduct daily or multi-day calibrations of this fundamental measurement sensor at the facility, which will improve the calibration accuracy. Repair There were no planned repairs that were untaken this quarter. Unplanned repairs included replacement of two Nortek Vectrino ADV probe heads due to failed temperature sensors. Also unplanned was a failure in one of the LWF actuator seals. This was repaired by the MTS service contract and fortunately, did not delay testing of the NEES project due to their lengthy setup period.
FY13 – Q1: Maintenance MTS planned preventive maintenance occurred on the LWF and TWB wavemaker this quarter. The 2nd increment of funding arrived late this quarter and planned PM activity will begin in subsequent quarters. These include replacement and capacity increase for servers holding video data and LWF anchor point replacement.
Calibration The Martel pressure standard was sent out in this quarter for calibration. This was used to calibrate pressure sensors for the NEES Shearplate project starting in late December.
Repair Planned repairs include two ADV sensor probes. The manufacturer is working with the site to identify failure mechanisms to prevent more failure in the future if possible. Initial failures were described as due to the age of the ADV probe head. The repair of these began this quarter, but the analysis is still underway.
FY13 – Q2: Maintenance There were several planned preventive maintenance activities that occurred this quarter. The Tsunami Wave Basin floor seam maintenance was done immediately prior to installation of the removable beach. Prior to January 2012, the TWB had bathymetry had been wave absorbing rock which covered seams and drains on the West end (onshore) part of the basin. Once the seam was exposed, we were able to conduct and inspection. Subsequently the seam was cleaned and caulked.
The facility completed its planned purchase of longer data cables for use with the Nortek Vectrinos. This planned purchase was done in time to support the incoming NEES project led by Irish. Some of our existing cables were beginning to age and the mount locations of some of the ADVs for this project were significantly farther away from the nearest walls, so longer cables were appropriate.
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This quarter, the site replaced an out-of-warranty server that houses the experimental database and archive. This critical component is refreshed on schedule since it is a critical component of the facility IT operations. The site also replaced the video server this quarter. Because of the significant increase in HD video recording and processing at the facility for NEES projects, the site reassessed the existing video server and concluded that we needed to significantly increase the server capacity. The site asked permission from NEEScomm for the larger capacity equipment purchase which was granted. The server was purchased this quarter and became operational. The cost for this item has been reported and described in the facility enhancement section of this quarterly report instead of here since the capacity of the drive increased and it seemed more appropriate to report it under the facility enhancement category.
Standard and ongoing preventive maintenance includes replenishment of consumables from the shop, sensor and signal conditioning cabling, sensor supplies, sensor mounting supplies and consumables, removable media and wood and metal stock for fabrication.
Calibration The Martel pressure standard was sent out for calibration and costs are reflected in this quarter. A National Instruments Data Acquisition card was sent out for calibration and found to be sufficiently out of tolerance that repair was required prior to calibration.
Repair Nortek engineers are visiting the facility in Q3 in order to investigate the ongoing issue with failure of the temperature sensor embedded within the ADV probe head. An unplanned repair that occurred this quarter was the remote controller for the TWB bridge crane. The wireless remote stopped functioning, and a temporary wired controller was installed until a new wireless transmitter and remote could be installed.
Network Requirements
EOT
EOT Category Fiscal Year and Quarter FY12 / Q4 FY13 / Q1 FY13 / Q2 Total Number of NEES Events 4 64 9 Total Number of Participants 5615 1783 252 Total Number of Events Engaging Practitioners 0 0 0 Total Number of Engaged Practitioners 0 0 0
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Capacity Building and Network Initiatives Progress FY 2012
FY 2013
For FY11, NEES@OSU completed most of the activities associated with Capacity Building and Network Initiatives. For fiscal year 2012, the facility is ahead of what is expected (50% of the fiscal year passed) and it is anticipated that the facility will complete all CBI and Network initiatives activities outlined in the annual work plan.
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Capacity Building and Network Initiative Activity Narrative Facility Enhancements: FY2012 – Q4: A planned purchase of a Nortek Vectrino II was purchased this quarter. This instrument along with another one funded as a subcontract via a NEESR award will be utilized by a new NEESR project beginning in FY2013. The site developed and built a prototype automated self-calibrating wage gage, which was tested and determined to function well. Eight wave gages were built and tested this quarter. The effort was cost-shared with Hinsdale Operations and College of Engineering. Also this quarter, an analysis of remaining budget was done and a request was sent to NEEScomm for permission to purchase a piece of heavy equipment to save on costs for moving sand, rock and other similar material at the facility. Additional heavy equipment needs at the overall facility include a shooting boom forklift. Permission was received from NEEScomm to purchase the wheel loader (see photo in additional comments tab), and the School of Civil and Construction Engineering will purchase the forklift. Finally, with end-of year funds, a National Instruments RS485 interface card for the PXI system was purchased which will allow our DAQ to communicate with the two new Vectrino IIs, as well as a lifting jig for the removable beach panels which will allow the forklift to maneuver the panels outside the basin.
FY2013 – Q1: The design and construction of a suite of self-calibrating wave gages for both the Tsunami Wave Basin and the Large Wave Flume was pushed forward this quarter. This usefulness of this effort in addressing calibration accuracies at the facility, a fundamental measurement, was pushed to top priority. Eight wave gages were built and tested in the Tsunami Wave Basin, with material funds covered by income from nonNEES projects. Some additional refurbishment and refinement of design is still required prior to their deployment and use in the TWB for the NEESR Irish project in April. Meanwhile, a prototype was designed for the Large Wave Flume, and 6 of the planned 8 total gages were installed to support the NEESR Liu project in December. The remaining 2 gages for this flume will be completed and ready for use for all remaining NEESR projects utilizing the flume this year (Kaihatu, Foster). The calibration software system is currently partially integrated into our DAQ system, but further programming work still needs to occur in order to fully integrate the process into the DAQ, the Tsunami Experiment Database and Notebook and the resultant data products that are available to researchers.
The HD camera system was used extensively in the Large Wave Flume for the NEESR Debris Project (Riggs) in 2012, and is planned for use in the LWF for both the NEESR Liu project and the NEESR Kaihatu project. The site has identified additional hardware, especially cameras that must be purchased to duplicate the setup in the TWB. However, prior to that, the resultant significant increase in required video disk space has to be addressed. Quantitative products resulting from the optical analysis of the raw video data are produced, and then uploaded to the Project Warehouse. However, at the intermediate stage, we need the images readily available because automated routines that rectify images, check synchronization and produce data are run. Purchase of this increased disk capacity was delayed waiting for the 2nd amendment of funding. Now that this has occurred, the site plans to address the additional camera needs/purchases in the second quarter. We are still targeting this effort to be completed in time to support the NEES Irish Project in April.
FY2012 – Q2: All eight self-calibrated wave gages were constructed and deployed during both NEESR projects (Liu, Kaihatu) in the Large Wave Flume this quarter. The self-calibration wave gages can now be calibrated using a precision stepper motor and counter system in 5-10 minutes. This allows for frequent calibration of this fundamental measurement and improves the facility's data accuracy and reliability. Visiting researchers have been very pleased with the results. 100
A new video server was purchased this quarter and went online in time to handle video from both NEES projects that utilized the system in this quarter. The Kaihatu project in particular was video intensive with longer (20 minute) runs than is typical for tsunami researchers. In addition, two new planned compatible HD cameras were purchased for deployment in the TWB to support the incoming NEES project led by Irish. The site plans to populate the TWB with up to 4 cameras to support the NEES testing in the TWB without having to undertake the time consuming task of personnel relocating cameras, cabling and power between the flume and the basin ceilings. The site successfully deployed the two new cameras on the TWB ceiling and they are currently in use by NEES researcher Irish. The two HD cameras in the LWF were left there ready and awaiting use by use by NEES researcher Foster in summer 2013.
IT Community Activities: FY2012 – Q4: Primary tasks for this supplemental effort were completed and are reported in detail in the supplemental section.
FY2013 – Q1: A very minor amount of follow up discussion with RPI regarding the 3DDV occurred in early October. This was to verify that in fact they had sufficiently tested the software package and our commitment was completed. We also discussed with them whether another supplement would be submitted.
FY2013 – Q2: No activities planned
Network EOT: FY2012 – Q4: Ms. Lyman-Holt participated in and managed the mini wave flume activity at the Folklife Festival for two weeks in July. A report including assessments was produced and was provided to NEEScomm. She then flew directly to the NEES AM in Boston to manage REU activities at the event. The Young Researcher Symposium for the REU students took place this quarter and she planned, managed and participated in that event as well. Ms. Lyman-Holt continued to participate in network-wide EOT activities including regular WebEx meetings, planning, reporting, and other requests originating from NEEScomm. As part of the Site Managers EOT efforts a the NEES AM in Boston, one-page site information sheets were updated from last year, organized, printed and sent to the meeting to be available to interested potential users of the NEES facilities.
FY2013 – Q1: The proposal and budget for the administrative award to support Ms. Lyman-Holt was developed and executed. Effort on the REU program began this year in Q1. Planning began for the DC Engineers Week Family Day exhibit. Ms. Lyman-Holt participates regularly in network-wide monthly teleconferences, as well as being involved in network level discussions on EOT activities and effort.
FY2013 – Q2: Most of Ms. Lyman-Holt's effort in this category is funded through an administrative supplement to support the network-wide REU activities as well as other NEES activities such as National Engineering Week Family Day. The majority of her effort this quarter fell under that work scope and included activities for National Engineering Week including an on-line training for Howard University students and NSF Staff. She traveled to Washington DC to provide an in-person training to Howard University students as well as provide support at the event on Feb 16th. She also worked with Sean Brophy and Thalia Anagnos to develop an assessment, and she trained the Howard Ambassadors to implement the assessment.
Her administrative REU duties also included advertisement of the REU application, response to 101
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applicants questions, organization and review of applications after the Feb 28th due date. She oversaw the student selection meeting, and was tasked with sending offer letters to attract accepted students. She also worked with Anagnos to plan the summer program including the orientation and the REU component of the NEES Annual Meeting.
As part of the REU process, Ms. Lyman-Holt managed the local REU effort including communication with potential NEES PIs, assisting them with the selection process, and working out issues involving timing.
Network Resource Sharing: None
Annualized Equipment Maintenance None
Supplemental Awards and Major Equipment Repair Removable beach installation is planned for Q2 of this fiscal year. A nonNEES project was scheduled in the Tsunami Wave Basin in the Fall of 2012, delaying the delivery and assembly of the beach components. After completion of the nonNEES project, ~700 cubic yards of wave absorbing rock was removed from the Tsunami Wave Basin in Dec 2012 using the facility wheel loader and student labor, in preparation for delivery of the beach components in January 2013.
The removable beach was delivered and installed in Q2 in time for use by NEES researcher Irish. The supplemental funding was critical in assisting the site to stay on schedule because of several factors. The first was that the delivery of components, due to some final adjustments, occurred later than expected. Secondly, since this was a first time installation of this complex system, there were several issues that arose and had to be addressed associated with the fitting of the steel beach into the Tsunami Wave Basin. And finally, there were two back-to-back NEES projects simultaneously underway in the Large Wave Flume (Liu and Kaihatu) during this time period. The site productivity was used to add additional staff and students needed to complete the construction on time, as well as for the purchase of some fasteners and tool supplies needed for the installation. In addition, the site added some neoprene and rubber gasket seals in various locations that were needed to avoid ejection of water from between the panels on the beach as well as a nonslip surface for safety. These additional costs will be either absorbed within the supplement budget or the NEES O&M PMCR and safety budget. Final billing for the steel beach equipment award is expected to be completed next quarter. Additional O&M labor costs due to the lag in University billing will continue to appear in subsequent quarters. In Q4, the site plans to remove the beach for an incoming NEESR project. Photographs of the steel beach construction along with subtitles are shown in the ""Additional Information"" tab.
The new Large Wave Flume cart/crane design process continued in FY2013 as the winning bidder worked with the site to address some of the unique requirements of the system. Since the first window of opportunity to take the existing cart offline went by, we are aiming for the next window of opportunity which will be in April 2013, after the two NEESR projects (Liu, Kaihatu).
The site completed testing for both major NEES projects in the LWF this quarter. The company fabricating the new cart/crane will begin the disassembly, fabrication and installation of the new cart/crane to be completed in Q3.
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4.4 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rensselaer’s centrifuge was commissioned in 1989 and started conducting physical model simulations of soil and soil-structure systems subjected to in-flight earthquake shaking in 1991. In this decade of successful operation, the facility has published results of about 360 earthquake-related model simulations, served as the basis for 16 Ph.D. dissertations and 21 MS thesis at RPI in the last 10 years, contributed to the research of RPI faculty and students as well as of dozens of visiting scholars and outside users from the US, Asia, Europe and Latin America, and provided data and research results to many people and organizations around the world This centrifuge earthquake research has been conducted with two existing one-dimensional in-flight shakers, which can accommodate respectively 90 kg and 400 kg payloads.
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Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute-150 g-ton Capacity Centrifuge Annual Facility Snapshot Narrative FY 2013
Site Personnel
Tarek Abdoun, PI Ricardo Dobry, Co-PI Thomas Zimmie, Co-PI Michael O’Rourke, Co-PI Inthuorn Sasanakul, Operations Manager Jason Thomas, IT System Administrator John Lawler, Mechanical Engineer/Technician Anthony Tessari, Geotechnical Engineer/Technician Michael Bretti/Electrical Engineer/Technician Tanya Volchek, EOT Specialist/Program Administrator
NEES@RPI (From Top Left to Bottom Right) – Tarek Abdoun, Ricardo Dobry, Thomas Zimmie, Michael O’Rourke, Inthuorn Sasanakul, Barry Leibson, Anthony Tessari, Tanya Volchek, John Lawler, Jason Thomas.
104 Budget Summary Annual Work Plan Distribution Reported Distribution Work Breakdown Structure FY 2013 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2012 (Q1 and Q2) Shared-Use Research Support $457,976 $384,229 $501,881 $187,222 Site Readiness $278,182 $321,994 $274,078 $100,245 Network Requirements $203,216 $207,622 $150,867 $72,067 IT Community Activities $15,215 $22,135 $15,216 $21,117 Facility Enhancement Activities $70,000 - $120,000 - Network EOT $20,000 $22,934 $40,000 $21,250 Annualized Equipment Maintenance - - - - Network Resource Sharing - - - - Total $1,044,589 $958,914 $1,102,042 $401,901 *All values obtained from quarterly financial reports submitted by facilities. Actual values are reconciled by the business office.
Figure 35: Cumulative Reported and Planned Expenditures According to WBS for FY 2012
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Figure 36: Cumulative Reported and Planned Expenditures According to WBS for Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 of FY 2013 Shared-Use Research Average Project Support Progress All NEES facilities, as a part of their annual work plan, submit proposed project completion percentages for all supported projects during that fiscal year. Progress is reported quarterly and tracked by NEEScomm. The following figure represents the average reported progress for all supported projects compared to the target completion percentage as outlined in the annual work plan. A similar graph is shown for each project.
106 Using the percent progress for each project, equivalent projects are determined for each site. As an example, if a facility completed 50% of two projects and 25% of a third in a certain fiscal year, that facility has completed 1.25 equivalent projects.
Fiscal Year Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Planned
Equivalent Number of 2012 0.85 1.1 1.3 1.8 2.05 Completed Projects
2013 0.12 0.29 - - 1.0
For FY12, NEES@RPI planned, according to their AWP, that they would be 69% complete with all projects at the facility, on average. By the end of FY12 NEES@RPI had reached a 64% average completion. The facility met the target for Project Completion within reason. Based on the average rate of project completion , for fiscal year 2013, it is anticipated that NEES@RPI will meet the planned project completion.
Project 1 – Zeghal (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) NSF-NEESR, CMMI-0830325
NEESR-II: Advanced Site Monitoring and Effective Characterization of Site Nonlinear Dynamic Properties and Model Calibration Project Description This project proposes a research program to develop a capability to characterize and estimate (low and large strain) three-dimensional in situ dynamic properties of sites and other soil systems for strata ranging from ground surface to a depth of about 30 m. A number of wireless shape-acceleration arrays (WSSA) will be installed permanently with an optimized configuration at the NEES Wildlife Refuge site to monitor low-strain response as well as earthquake induced liquefaction, permanent deformation and lateral spreading. It is highly anticipated that a near-future earthquake will induce large deformation and lateral spreading at this site. The installed arrays would then provide for the first time measurement of the time history of the whole site lateral spreading profile. The shape-acceleration array has capabilities that go beyond those of current state-of-the-art arrays used in monitoring the response of soil-systems. This array provides accurate remote real-time measurements of permanent three-dimensional displacements along with three-dimensional accelerations. Optimal special instrument configurations (i.e., topology) will be developed for the WSAA to ensure adequate measurements. Innovative data reduction and identification techniques will be developed for systematic site characterization and model calibration. Specifically, this project comprises the following tasks: (1) development and validation of optimized array configurations using centrifuge model tests performed at the NEES@RPI and computational analyses, (2) permanent installation of a number of wireless shape-acceleration arrays with an optimized configuration at the NEESwildlife refuge site, (3) excitation of the site using the NEES@UTexas T-Rex vibrator, and (4) development of innovative data reduction and identification tools to estimate the 3-dimensional (small and large strain) mechanical properties and response mechanisms of the Wildlife site as well as other field sites that may be instrumented in the future.
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Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: We performed three centrifuge tests in this quarter and we are assisting graduate students in uploading data
FY13 – Q1: We were informed by the PI that the project may be extended to FY2014. Therefore, the planned % project progress will be revised accordingly. In terms of testing, we performed a series of centrifuge calibration tests using 2D shaker. This includes at least 15-20 shaking centrifuge shaking tests.
FY13 – Q2: We performed 2 centrifuge tests.
Project 2 – Kramer (University of Washington) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 0936408
NEESR-CR: Evolutionary Intensity for More Accurate and Informative Liquefaction Hazard Evaluation Project Description The research plan is directed toward experimental investigation of the behavior of liquefiable soils under a wide variety of transient loading conditions. A series of cyclic simple shear specimens and centrifuge models will be subjected to loading histories with very different temporal characteristics. Cyclic simple shear tests will allow evaluation of the response of a single element of soil under conditions that simulate the loading associated with vertically propagating shear waves. The centrifuge tests will illustrate element behavior and the behavior of an entire soil profile. The responses of the test specimens and models will be interpreted in terms of generated pore pressures and cyclic and permanent deformations. The ability of a variety of evolutionary ground motion intensity measures (IMs) to predict pore pressure and the initiation of liquefaction, cyclic strain amplitudes, and permanent deformations will be investigated.
108 Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: PI did not contact us to schedule centrifuge tests during this quarter. Our understanding is that they are not ready. We did not complete the tests as originally agreed with PI.
FY13 – Q1: We have not received information from PI on when they will be ready to perform the test. We will contact PI to discuss their plan for this fiscal year.
FY13 – Q2: We have contacted PI to schedule his last set of experiment. We are working with students to develop and finalize the test plan.
Project 3 – Wartman (University of Washington) NSF-NEESR, CMMI – 0936602
NEESR-CR: Seismically Induced Rock-Slope Failure: Mechanism and Prediction Project Description This research seeks to substantially advance the fundamental understanding of the rock-slope failure process under seismic conditions through a fully integrated program of physical (NEES@RPI geotechnical centrifuge) and discrete element method (DEM) numerical simulations. The centrifuge tests will provide fundamental insight into the rock-slope failure process and will also generate a unique body of high quality data that will be used to calibrate and verify the numerical simulations. The resulting improved knowledge will drive the development of improved rock-slope failure assessment guidelines, analysis procedures, and predictive tools. In addition to markedly improving the basic understanding of seismic rock-slope failures, this research will drive the shift from currently employed qualitative assessment procedures to modern performance- and risk-based methodologies. This will fundamentally change and improve the way these hazards are addressed in research and professional practice.
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Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: We had conference calls and email communication with Pi and Students to prepare for tests. We reviewed their test plan and scheduled the second series of experiment in October.
FY13 – Q1: We performed a series of centrifuge tests. This includes at least 20 centrifuge shaking tests on Rock Slope models. We assisted the graduate student to modify their test specimen for these tests. We are working PI to plan for their next series of centrifuge tests.
FY13 – Q2: We had a conference call and email communication with PI and student to finalize their next test. We reviewed the new test model design. The test is expected in May 2013.
Project 4 – Biscontin (Texas A&M University) NSF-NEESR, CMMI – 1041604
NEESR-CR: Capacity and performance of foundations for offshore wind towers Project Description The goal of this research is to develop the tools to evaluate the most effective foundation for offshore wind towers by examining the performance of different systems using a combination of experimental and numerical studies. For this purpose, the proposed objectives are: 1. Evaluate the response of model foundations (monopile, suction caisson) to the combination of static and cyclic loads through centrifuge and 1g model testing 2. Model the response of the foundations systems (monopile, caisson, tripod) through numerical techniques accounting for the nonlinear response of the soil and the combination of lateral, axial, moment and torsion loading 3. Verify the effectiveness of the numerical models through validation against the centrifuge testing and 1g model testing 4. Develop design recommendations based on the testing and modeling results
110 5. Attract a more diverse group of undergraduate researchers and future graduate students to engineering through exciting and relevant research 6. Increase the interest in science and engineering in high-school students through their teachers.
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: We have several emails communications and phone call with graduate students. It has been some delay at A&M for the construction of parts and sensor instrumentations. There was also some change of design. PI will contact us to schedule the test as soon as they are ready.
FY13 – Q1: Researchers are instrumented strain gauges on their model piles at their university. We will work with PI to develop a firm schedule for this fiscal year.
FY13 – Q2: PI and graduate students are still working on instrumentation and fabrication of the pile and robot tool.
Project 5 – El Shamy (Southern Methodist University) NSF, DUE - 1044585
A Multi-Institutional Classroom Learning Environment for Geotechnical Engineering Education Project Description This TUES (Transforming Undergraduate Education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) award under the NSF DUE division is a "Type 1" project. This project is a collaborative effort led by Dr. El Shamy at SMU that builds on the national investment in the George E. Brown Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES). This work integrates state-of-the-art experimental and educational tools into the undergraduate education curricula by using web-based technologies that enable real-time video monitoring, tele-control, and execution of experiments. The project will provide students at three campuses (SMU, RPI, and UNCC) with new educational tools for 111
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better understanding of various theoretical geotechnical engineering concepts. The main goals of this project is to develop and pilot test education models utilizing the RPI-NEES centrifuge facility, visual observation of the response of soil and soil-foundation systems, use of instrumentation, interpretation of acquired data, and use of an interactive 3D data viewer for analyzing the measured response. Cross- university teams of students can access, interpret, evaluate and exchange relevant technical information via the Internet; thereby bringing major experimentation into geotechnical engineering classes.
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: We worked with PI to plan for the next phase of this project.
FY13 – Q1: We performed a series of centrifuge test for an undergraduate soil mechanics class for Southern Methodist University. We are planning for another series of test in Spring. PI indicated that the project is extended until March 2014.
FY13 – Q2: Test plan has been developed and finalized. The test is scheduled for mid-April.
112 Site Readiness Narratives Site Safety Task FY 2012 – Q4 FY 2013 – Q1 FY 2013 – Q2 Last Revision of Safety Plan 1/1/2012 1/1/2012 1/1/2012 Reportable Injuries 0 0 0
PMCR Progress FY 2012
FY 2013
For FY12, NEES@RPI completed all activities associated with PMCR. For fiscal year 2013, it is anticipated that the facility will complete all PMCR activities outlined in the annual work plan.
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PMCR Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Maintenance We performed calibration and maintenance of centrifuge optical encoder used for measuring the centrifuge unbalance. In Q4, IT staff implemented most of the data unification and storage scheme outlined last quarter. Most tasks have been automated, tested, and refined. User access to data has been simplified greatly. Work with Oregon State progressed rapidly on 3D Data Viewer with a number of improvements occurring this quarter. The lab's website received a lot of work including new equipment photos and several new videos.
Calibration We performed calibration of the new Keller ppt sensors and compared them with the traction truck ppt sensors. The calibrations of the accelerometers are completed. We are starting our plan for the calibration of tactile sensor under dynamic conditions.
Repair None
FY13 – Q1: Maintenance Routine calibration and maintenance was performed on 2D shaker. This involved replace seal and gasket to minimize oil leakage. The shaker gasket seems to break while holding the centrifuge at high g for extended period of time. We designed and developed new components and installed it in the shaker to fix the problem. The problems seem to be fixed. We calibrated and tested new pore pressure sensors. They seem to work well under static condition but there are some problems with durability. We are working with manufacturer to modify the sensor wiring and other design issue. Calibration Calibration test was performed on tactile pressure sensors and newly developed CPT tool for inflight Robot.
Repair No repairs planned.
FY13 – Q2: Maintenance We replaced robot cables, connectors and new module for robot controller.
Calibration We calibrated typical sensors.
Repair No repairs planned.
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Network Requirements EOT
EOT Category Fiscal Year and Quarter FY12 / Q4 FY13 / Q1 FY12 / Q2 Total Number of NEES Events 2 3 3 Total Number of Participants 13 54 43 Total Number of Events Engaging Practitioners 0 0 0 Total Number of Engaged Practitioners 0 0 0
Capacity Building and Network Initiatives
Progress FY 2012
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FY 2013:
For FY12, NEES@RPI completed 100% of the activities associated with Capacity Building and Network Initiatives. For fiscal year 2013, it is anticipated that the facility will complete all CBI and Network initiatives activities outline in the annual work plan.
Capacity Building and Network Initiative Activity Narrative Facility Enhancements: Nothing Scheduled.
IT Community Activities: FY2012 – Q4: Our collaborative effort with OSU to improve the 3D Viewer as part of the supplemental award is fallen into this category. Please see more information under supplemental awards tab (supplemental #3).
FY 2013 – Q1: We worked with a graduate student who is part of a NEES project to develop a model using Trimble (Google) sketch up. This model is used for the latest version of 3D Data Viewer. Researcher is planning to apply this model for viewing results for other test which will be performing in Q2.
FY 2013 – Q2: Work began on creating working examples for 3D Data Viewer using completed, public NEES projects. This will continue into the next quarter.
Network EOT: FY2012 – Q4: The development of professional geotechnical videos project as part of the supplemental award is fallen into this category. Once completed, these videos will be shared among the NEES community. Please see more information under supplemental award tab (supplemental #1)
FY2013 – Q1: We sent our announcement for the 3D Data Viewer Webinar planned for January 25, 2013. We received at least 20 applicants and expect more in the next few days. We are working on presentation for the webinar and will record a video of the webinar for future use.
116 FY2013 – Q2: Early in the quarter we focused on giving the 3D Data Viewer webinar to interested researchers. Throughout the quarter, our website received concerted efforts in polishing, improving, and updating content as well as layout.
Network Resource Sharing: None planned
Annualized Equipment Maintenance None
Supplemental Awards and Major Equipment Repair In collaboration with Oregon State University, 3D Data Viewer has been updated to a current 3D library for stability and future expandability. Features implemented during this period include revival and repair of the Model Editor, NEEShub data access via web services, and sensor ingestion from text files. The utility is now robust and functional for widespread use. http://www.nees.rpi.edu/3d-data-viewer/
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4.5 University at Buffalo
The University at Buffalo is home to NEES@buffalo (UB-NEES), a key site in the National Science Foundation's "George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation" (NEES). In this network, earthquake engineers and students located at different institutions around our nation and the world are able to share resources, collaborate, and exploit new computational technologies. Major equipment at UB-NEES includes: twin reconfigurable, 0-100Hz, six degree-of-freedom shake tables with a capacity of 50 metric-tons each; a Nonstructural Component Simulator (NCS); a 1-g Geotechnical Laminar Box; 3-100 kip dynamic actuators; 2-200 kip static actuators; a large 175 m2 reaction wall and 340 m2 strong floor; 40-ton and 20-ton overhead gantry cranes. The site supports Pseudo-Dynamic and Real-Time Dynamic Hybrid Testing, along with conventional Dynamic, Quasi-static, and Static Force techniques. In addition, Real-Time Dynamic Hybrid Testing is a unique form of testing developed at UB in which shake table and/or dynamic force experiments on substructures are combined in real-time with computer simulations of the remainder of the structure. This provides a more complete picture of how earthquakes would affect large structures, including buildings and bridges, without the need to physically test the entire structure.
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University of Buffalo, SUNY – Structural Engineering and Earthquake Simulation Annual Facility Snapshot Narrative FY 2013
Site Personnel
Michael Constantinou, PI Amjad Aref, Co-PI Tom Albrechcinski, Site Operations Manager Goran Josipovic, IT Services Manager Jerry Meyers, Business Administrator Myrto Anagnostopoulou, Structural Engineer Duane Kozlowski, Senior Mechanical Technician & Floor Safety Officer Bob Staniszewski, Mechanical Technician Jeff Cizdziel, Mechanical Technician Chris Budden, Instrumentation Specialist Chris Zwierlein, Electronics Specialist Mark Pitman,Technical Services Manager Scot Weinreber, Senior Instrumentation Specialist Lou Moretta, Mechanical Technician Shomari White, IT Specialist
NEES@UBuffalo (From Top Left to Bottom Right) – Amjad Aref, Michael C. Constantinou, Mark Pitman Tom Albrechcinski, , Chris Budden, Duane Kozlowski, Goran Josipovic, Bob Staniszewski, Chris Zwierlein,
Myrto Anagnostopoulou, Shomari White, Jerry Meyers, Lou Moretta, Jeff Cizdziel
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Budget Summary Annual Work Plan Reported Distribution Distribution Work Breakdown Structure FY 2013 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2012 (Q1 and Q2) Shared-Use Research Support $1,019,416 $899,448 827,821 $332,921 Site Readiness $96,451 $102,325 176,344 $72,396 Network Requirements $318,690 $393,259 440,608 $201,565 IT Community Activities $109,421 - 64,513 - Facility Enhancement Activities - $191,936 - $65,020 Network EOT $3,961 $21,004 28,152 $- Annualized Equipment Maintenance $60,495 $60,495 56,125 $16,850 Network Resource Sharing - - - - Total $1,608,434 $1,668,467 1,593,563 $688,752 *All values obtained from quarterly financial reports submitted by facilities. Actual values are reconciled by the business office.
Figure 37: Cumulative Reported and Planned Expenditures According to WBS for FY 2012
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Figure 38: Cumulative Reported and Planned Expenditures According to WBS for Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 of FY 2013
Shared-Use Research
Average Project Support Progress
All NEES facilities, as a part of their annual work plan, submit proposed project completion percentages for all supported projects during that fiscal year. Progress is reported quarterly and tracked by NEEScomm. The following figure represents the average reported progress for all supported projects compared to the target completion percentage as outlined in the annual work plan. A similar graph is shown for each project.
122 Using the percent progress for each project, equivalent projects are determined for each site. As an example, if a facility completed 50% of two projects and 25% of a third in a certain fiscal year, that facility has completed 1.25 equivalent projects. Fiscal Year Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Planned
Equivalent Number of Completed 2012 0.51 1.42 1.99 2.41 4.97 Projects
2013 1.56 3.05 - - 6.26
For FY12, NEES@Buffalo planned, according to their AWP, that they would have an average of 73% completion of all projects at the facility. By the end of FY12 NEES@Buffalo had reached a 45% average completion, which is well below the target. This was in part due to the failure of the laminar box. For FY13 NEES@Buffalo has planned to have a 85% project completion percentage by the end of the fiscal year. According to their average rate of completion , it is anticipated that they will have a tough time in meeting their target.
Project 1 – Maragakis (University of Nevada Reno) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 0721399
NEESR-GC: Simulation of the Seismic Performance of Nonstructural Systems – Piping Testing Project Description This Grand Challenge project integrates multidisciplinary system-level studies that will develop, for the first time, a simulation capability and implementation process for enhancing the seismic performance of the ceiling-piping-partition nonstructural system. A comprehensive experimental program is being conducted that uses the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) and University at Buffalo (UB) NEES Equipment Sites to conduct subsystem and system-level full-scale experiments. A payload project using the E-Defense facility has been planned in coordination with Japanese researchers. Integrated with this experimental effort will be a numerical simulation program that will develop experimentally verified analytical models; establish system and subsystem fragility functions; and, develop visualization tools that will provide engineering educators and practitioners with sketch- based modeling capabilities. Public policy investigations have been planned to will support the implementation of the research results. The project is organized around a strategic plan that draws on the talents of 19 institutions around the country and collaborates closely with industry through a Practice Committee consisting of experts representing all aspects of the ceiling-piping-partition nonstructural systems. In addition to unique experimental facilities, NEES provides a valuable data archiving and exchange resource, as well as teleparticipation.
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Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Project completed.
Project 2 – Dobry (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) NSF-NEESR, CMMI – 0529995
NEESR-SG: Experimental and Micromechanical Computational Study of Pile Foundations Subjected to Liquefaction-Induced Lateral Spreading Project Description This NEESR project involves a multi-year experimental and analytical investigation of effects of soil liquefaction-induced lateral spreading on piles employing experimental facilities at UB and RPI. The UB tests will be performed using the 1g-2D Geotechnical Laminar Box. Three full-scale pile tests will be conducted on the UB-NEES strong floor using the 2D laminar box container (dimensions of the box are 2.75x5.0x6.2 m tall), with shaking applied by horizontal actuators connected to the strong wall. During these three test series, the laminar box will be filled to 6 m height with saturated sand at Dr ~ 45% containing 6m deep piles fixed to the bottom of the box. The laminar box will be inclined 2o to the horizontal. Instrumentation in piles and soil will include shape-arrays, piezometers, accelerometers, potentiometers, digital camera, and strain gages. Soil density and CPT-based shear wave velocity measurements will also be conducted.
124 Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: No new laminar box testing was done at UB-NEES for this project during the FY12 4th quarter. However with the pending completion of the Laminar Box equipment system, testing will resume during the 1st quarter of FY13 with level ground tests only. Planned Liquefaction project inclined tests will be deferred until subsequent NEESR projects (Yegian’s and Rollins’) tests, at level ground, are completed and demonstrate of the viability of the new membrane design for potential use on subsequent inclined tests. In the interim, the project team completed uploading the meta data for all prior tests to the NEES depository. Instrumentation planning work has been done for the first level-ground liquefaction test.
FY13 – Q1: During the first quarter of FY13, the Laminar Box was reassembled and the new/replacement membrane system was installed. Ground motion checkout tests were completed with the new 110-kip actuators. The soil box was fully instrumented in November and December 2012, in preparation for the first level-ground liquefaction test. Sand transfer operations have been on hold awaiting better weather conditions (consistent ambient temperatures > 45-degrees) for that final task to proceed.
FY13 – Q2: No activity.
Project 3 – Ryan (Utah State University) NSF-NEESR, CMMI – 0724208
NEESR-SG: TIPS - Tools to Facilitate Widespread Use of Isolation and Protective Systems, a NEES/E- Defense Collaboration Project Description The NEES TIPS project is a collaborative effort of researchers in the U.S and Japan to create and promote tools that will facilitate adoption of isolation and protective systems. Our vision is that in the future, losses and disruptive societal impacts associated with earthquakes will be substantially 125
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reduced due to the widespread use of isolation systems, which provide the capability to control both structural and non-structural damage by simultaneously reducing accelerations and drifts in buildings. Isolation systems will become a realistic option for any building regardless of size, occupancy, and importance.
The experimental program at UB will address knowledge gaps regarding the behavior of isolation devices and overall system performance including: • Characterization tests of individual bearings to be used in experiments using bearing test machine. • Strong floor setup with actuators to conduct pushover test of bearings to determine performance limit states including delaminating and buckling. • Shake table tests of based isolated building model examining various performance limit states including isolation system with one or more damaged bearings (delaminated or cavitated elastomeric bearings), isolators strained to extreme limits, superstructure hitting a displacement stop (pounding against moat wall). Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Project completed.
Project 4 – Mosqueda (University of Buffalo, SUNY) NSF-CAREER, CMMI - 0748111 CAREER: Hybrid simulation platform for seismic performance evaluation of structures through collapse Project Description The first research objective of this project is to enhance the hybrid simulation methodology to evaluate the performance of large scale structures loaded up to collapse. Hybrid simulation, which combines numerical simulation with experimental simulation of structural elements, provides a more realistic, reliable, and economical approach to testing structural systems under earthquake loads. Fundamental contributions, addressing issues related to numerical, experimental and boundary condition errors and assumptions, will be made in the development of algorithms used in testing and 126 validation procedures. In particular, the computational platform will provide capabilities for robust implicit integration algorithms and fault-tolerant distributed control strategies to enable testing of complex structural systems utilizing geographically distributed testing of its substructures. The resulting simulation platform will be used to evaluate the seismic performance of 1/2-scale steel moment frame structures from the onset of damage through collapse. Only key subassemblies will be experimentally tested and the global system response will be captured through interaction with the numerical model. The efficacy of hybrid simulations to predict collapse was validated in FY 2009 by comparing the results recently obtained from full scale testing in E-Defense, Japan of a similar prototype. Large-scale substructure testing will be conducted locally at the University at Buffalo in FY2012-13, examining the response of steel structures designed to US standards. Two specimens will be tested including a moment frame and a gravity frame with slab.
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: During the quarter July - September 2012, the NEES Shared Use Project : CAREER: Hybrid simulation platform for seismic performance evaluation of structures through collapse discussed the upcoming experiments with laboratory staff. Drawings of the specimen were reviewed and sent out for fabrication. Currently, we are waiting the availability of space expected November 2012 to begin experiments. The experimental portion of the project is 45% complete.
FY13 – Q1: During the quarter October - December 2012, the NEES Shared Use Project: CAREER: Hybrid simulation platform for seismic performance evaluation of structures through collapse initiated the final phase of testing for the project at UB-NEES. Construction of two specimens began with an outside vendor. The two specimens are a 1.5 bay by 1.5 story steel frames with slabs. Delivery of the first specimen is expected in January 2013. Meanwhile, preparation of the space for testing began by setting the actuators in place and attaching the necessary transfer plates to the strong floor to anchor the specimen. The first specimen is expected to be tested in mid-February and the second around the end of February. The project team has also been investigation the use of algorithms for the hybrid simulation experiments and there implementation in the laboratory
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FY13 – Q2: No new laminar box testing was done at UB-NEES for this project during this reporting period. Cold weather precluded sand transfer operations as has been reported in the past. The soil box was fully instrumented by the close of December 2012 in preparation for the first level-ground liquefaction test using the new laminar box. The UB-NEES site is prepared to commence with sand transfer in the spring when warm weather conditions permit. Actuator ground motion confirmation tests were completed.
Project 5 – Whittaker (University of Buffalo, SUNY) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 0829978
NEESR – SG: Performance-Based Design of Squat Reinforced Concrete Shear Walls Project Description Structural walls are widely used as seismic lateral-force resisting components in buildings and nuclear facilities. Since most building structures are low-rise with columns spaced at approximately 30 feet on center and walls cast between columns, most structural walls are squat with aspect rations of 1.0 or less. Conventional walls are constructed of reinforced concrete (RC). Currently the design of these walls is based on 1) demand/capacity equations addressing shear strength and 2) prescriptive detailing requirements, which were developed for tall (high aspect ration) walls, to ensure ductility. However, analysis by the PI’s of squat wall test data shows that current design equations result in significant bias and scatter in the ratios of estimated strength. As such, squat walls stand out among RC structural elements because of the large uncertainties in characterizing their behavior. Such bias and uncertainties are unacceptable for modern performance assessment methodologies for which unbiased estimates of strength and stiffness are needed as a function of deformation and load history. Composite structural walls, in which structural steel plates provide both formwork and wall web reinforcement, have been proposed as a cost effective alternate to conventional RC walls. Small- scale tests have been performed on such walls, but no procedures have been developed to assess their strength, stiffness and hysteretic response. Large-scale tests validated numerical models, and design procedures are required to enable use of this innovative system. The goal of this project is to fill the substantial gaps in knowledge described above and realize them through a collaborative large- scale experimental investigation including the UB-NEES site. Project Progress
128 Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Testing of the Phase II walls was completed over the period of July 1st through September 30th. During the same time period, cylinder samples from the foundations and the walls were tested during the day of tests. Reinforcing bars were taken from the tested specimens for tensile testing. Raw data for Phase I and Phase II walls has been uploaded into NEEShub. Processed data and metadata for Phase I walls have also been uploaded. Phase III walls have been built and are being prepared for testing. Approximately 85% of the overall project was completed by September 30, 2012. Testing of the four Phase III walls is scheduled to be completed within the next 3-months.
FY13 – Q1: Testing of the first two Phase III walls (SC1 and SC2) was completed over the period of October 1st through December 30th. During the same time period, SC3 has been setup and instrumented and is ready for testing. Cylinder samples from the foundation and the walls were tested during the day of tests. Processed data and metadata for Phase II walls have been uploaded to the NEES Hub. Acquired data from tests of Phase III walls is being processed and will also be uploaded to the NEES Hub in the near future. Approximately 95% of the overall project was completed by December 30, 2012. Testing of the last two Phase III walls will be completed in the next quarter.
FY13 – Q2: Testing of the Phase III walls was completed during the period of January 1st through March 31st. During this same time period, raw data from testing of Phase III walls are being uploaded into NEEShub. Processed data and metadata will also be uploaded in the near future. The experimental portion of this project is now 100% complete. Data obtained from the tests of all walls are currently being processed and analyzed.
Project 6 – Berman (University of Washington) NSF-NEESR, CMMI – 0830294
NEESR-SG: Smart and Resilient Steel Walls for Reducing Earthquake Impacts Project Description The project activities to be performed at UB-NEES are broken down into three tasks as follows:
1) Task 4.2 Repeatable Quasi-Static Experiments: For this purpose, a three story 1/3 scale specimens will be developed to investigate the behavior of components as integrated into a full resilient wall system. Banking on the intended behavior of a resilient SPSW system (i.e. self- centering and rapid repair following an earthquake, requiring only replacement of the inexpensive thin infill plate), the same frame will be reused to investigate the cyclic performance and overall hysteretic behavior of a number of concepts. Both full infill plate and simplified strip configurations are to be investigated. 2) Task 4.3 Shake Table Experiments of Simplified SPSW Systems: Shake table experiments to investigate the complex behavior of resilient SPSWs are designed to be conducted in two stages (i.e. Tasks 4.3 and 5.1). This first stage focuses on the dynamic behavior of the re-centering HBE- to-VBE connection mechanisms in a SPSW environment, using simplified infill strips. This approach will allow the researchers to focus on investigating connection behavior within a simulated SPSW system, without the uncertainty regarding actual orientation and stresses at various locations across the infill diagonal tension fields. In this case, each flat plate brace simulates a “strip” of actual infill acting in a predetermined direction, of known axial force (from strain gages) and hysteretic behavior 3) Task 5.1 Earthquake Simulation Testing of a 3-story Resilient SPSW: Shake table experiments to investigate the complex behavior of resilient SPSWs using full infill plate configurations will be 129
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performed. Additionally, leveraging the advantages of having an easily repairable specimen, a final experiment considered within Task 5.1 will investigate the behavior of a resilient SPSW having thicker infill plates than warranted but with the system not reinforced to accommodate the larger demands ensuing from yielding of the thicker infill panels (therefore, in violation of capacity design principles). Note that substantial panel over-strengths are common in low-rise SPSWs, as the minimum thickness of hot rolled steel plates (available, or needed for welding purposes) often exceed the thicknesses calculated to be sufficient to provide the required strength. This specimen could be subjected to cyclic loading to failure instead of shake-table excitation if deemed necessary for safety purposes.
For the quasi-static test phase anticipated to begin in June 2011, the gravity mass frame system will be used along with the (3) MTS 244.51 dynamic actuators as shown schematically below:
Figure 1 – Quasi-Static Testing (shown for rocking about beam flanges condition)
For the shake table testing anticipated to begin in January 2012, the gravity mass frame system will be used as shown schematically below:
Figure 2 –Shake Table Testing (shown for rocking about beam flanges condition)
As noted above, for both the quasi-static and shake table tests, the gravity mass frame will be used. A section through the test frame for both test configurations showing the use of the gravity mass frame is shown below:
Figure 3 – Section Through Test Frames Using the Gravity Mass Frame
The three story 1/3 scale specimens consist of three different frames. Each with a different beam/column joint rocking connection as follows: 1) rocking about the beam flanges; 2) NewZBREAKSS rocking connection, a rocking configuration developed at UB; and 3) rocking about the beam centerline. The anticipated test matrix for the quasi-static and shake table tests are as follows:
The number of needed channels will vary depending on the specific test. However, approximately 175 channels are the most anticipated needed for a single test. At the end of FY12 (September 30, 2012), it is anticipated that testing will be completed at UB. It is the objective that the experimental and analytical work produced from the combination of the UB and UW teams at the end of this project, the culmination of this work will lead to a better understanding of self-centering SPSW systems leading to the hopeful implementation and future codification of these types of systems for resistance to earthquake loadings in building structures.
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Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: During this quarter test setup for the first shake table test commenced. Although not part of UB lab resource needs, it did effect the overall scheduling of the shake-table tests: Full scale testing was performed at the National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering (NCREE) in Taipei, Taiwan in August to the first week in September as part of this NEESR-SG project (the UB Ph.D. student participated at NCREE for this duration). Additionally, due to lab maintenance of the shake- tables at the end of July, the first shake table test was rescheduled to the later part of September (after the NCREE test). The first two shake table tests were completed by the second week of October. The remainder of the shake table tests anticipated to finish by December 2012 (assuming that testing can continue without any significant interruption). At the end of this quarter, percent completion of the multi-year project total experimental lab activities to be performed at the UB-NEES site is approximately 80% total. Summary of the work is as follows:
TEST PHASE COMMENTS % COMPLETION Quasi-static tests *(65/100) 9 of 9 tests completed 100% Shake Table tests *(35/100) 0 of 6 tests completed 5% *(xx/100) indicates approximately xx% of total work (100%) of project
Planned work during the 1st quarter of FY13 is shake table testing
FY13 Q1: During this quarter shake table testing continued. At the end of this quarter, percent completion of the multi-year project experimental lab activities to be performed at the UB-NEES site is approximately 95% total. Work in the first quarter of FY14 will be completion of shake table tests and material coupon tests of infill web panels.
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FY13 Q2: During this quarter all experimental testing is complete; this represents 100% percent completion of the multi-year project experimental lab activities to be performed at the UB-NEES site. Uploading of UB experimental test data to the NEES repository is in progress.
Project 7 – Nagarajaiah (William Marsh Rice University) NSF-NEESR, CMMI – 0830391
NEESR-SG: Development of Next Generation Adaptive Seismic Protection Systems Project Description Yielding can be emulated in a structural system by adding an “adaptive negative stiffness device” (NSD) and shifting the “yielding” away from the main structural system-leading to the new idea of “apparent weakening” that occurs ensuring structural stability at all displacement amplitudes. This is achieved through an adaptive negative stiffness system (ANSS), a combination of NSD and a nonlinear damper. By engaging the NSD at an appropriate displacement (simulated yield displacement that is well below the actual yield displacement of the structural system) the composite structure-device assembly behaves like a yielding structure. The NSD presented in this study has a re-centering mechanism thereby avoids permanent deformation in the composite structure-device assembly unless, the main structure itself yields. Essentially, a yielding-structure is “mimicked” without any, or with minimal permanent deformation or yielding in the main structure. As a result, the main structural system suffers less accelerations, less displacements and less base shear, while the ANSS “absorbs” them. This paper presents comprehensive details on development and study of the ANSS/NSD. Through numerical simulations, the effectiveness and the superior performance of the ANSS/NSD as compared to a structural system with supplemental passive dampers is presented. The progress to date is that the NSD has been successfully tested individually and in a base isolated structure.
Project Progress
132 Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: All experimental efforts on this project were completed during this quarter. Planned activities include data uploads to NEEShub.
Project 8 – Miranda (Stanford University) NSF-NEESR, CMMI – 0936633
NEESR-CR: Collapse Simulation of Multi-Story Buildings through Hybrid Testing Project Description This award is an outcome of the NSF 09-524 program solicitation \"George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) Research (NEESR)\" competition and includes Stanford University (lead institution), University of New Hampshire (subaward), University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, (subaward), and California State University, Sacramento (subaward). This project will utilize the NEES equipment sites at the University at Buffalo and the University of California at Berkeley. Intellectual Merit: The primary goal of earthquake resistant design is to protect life safety by preventing the collapse of the structure. Uncertainties in ground motion and in structural response to ground motion, together with economic constraints, impose the acceptance of a small probability of collapse. Assessment of this small probability of collapse requires the ability to predict, with sufficient confidence, the response of structures through collapse. This aspect of performance-based earthquake engineering poses major challenges, many of which have been addressed and partially solved through recent research. But what is lacking is experimental data of structures collapsing and confidence in analytical component and structure response predictions, which need to be fostered through evidence provided by careful validation using results from experimental studies. To validate collapse predictions and to evaluate phenomena that are not represented adequately in component tests, experimental tests at the structure level are needed. Shaking table (earthquake simulator) testing represents an excellent option. However, shaking table testing to collapse is very complex, very expensive, and potentially dangerous. Hybrid testing is becoming an attractive alternative because it can provide information on the response of the entire structure without having to physically test all the structure. This makes hybrid testing a versatile and cost-effective testing approach. This research will advance knowledge to improve our understanding of the response of structures as they approach collapse. The specific objectives are to: (1) conduct a comprehensive validation of hybrid simulation techniques to collapse, which includes tests with various collapse modes (e.g., ratcheting behavior-lateral deformations accumulating progressively in one direction); (2) significantly expand substructuring techniques used in distributed hybrid simulation to capture the effects of time-varying boundary conditions; (3) significantly expand the capabilities and reliability of hybrid simulation by developing and incorporating adaptive analytical models; (4) understand and identify the most important structural and ground motion parameters that cause ratcheting behavior leading to collapse; and (5) develop and implement innovative education, outreach, and technology transfer mechanisms to disseminate knowledge on structural responses to collapse. The successful completion of this study will transform the way in which collapse simulation of multi-story buildings is conducted through the development and validation of hybrid testing procedures that provide a more efficient and reliable quantification of the collapse potential of buildings. The main research contribution will be the creation and integration of new physical testing approaches and analytical simulation methods to develop a more in-depth understanding of the structural properties and ground motion characteristics that lead to collapse of structural systems. This research integrates multidisciplinary knowledge from the fields of earthquake engineering, structural dynamics, systems control, and information technology. Broader Impacts: This research will improve the ability to reliably estimate collapse probabilities, which will help minimize casualties, 133
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economic losses, and enhance the resiliency of buildings subjected to seismic events. Innovative testing methods and data will be made available to the earthquake engineering community through their implementation in the NEES shared use equipment, software, and data repository and through publications and presentations. An integrated outreach plan includes partnerships with schools and undergraduate institutions located in the east and west coasts of the United States, as well as innovative outreach activities to actively engage underrepresented students in engineering and research. Data from this project will be archived and made available to the public through the NEES data repository.
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: During the quarter July - September 2012, the NEES Hybrid Collapse project team led by Stanford University initiated Phase I testing on the strong floor. First, tests were conducted on a sacrificial frame constructed from light gauge steel studs. During these tests, issues with the hybrid control system and instrumentation were resolved. The tests continued with the actual aluminum frame previously used for collapse simulations on the shake table. Tests on the full frame and with substructures were conducted. During the following quarter, additional tests will be conducted on the full frame and on substructures using updating techniques. The design of two test setups for Phase II was completed and presented to the laboratory for comments and scheduling. The UB-NEES staff arranged the test setup and the control system for quasi-static and hybrid testing. The second phase will involve testing of reduced scale columns and is scheduled to begin early in the following quarter. The experimental portion of the project is 30% complete.
FY13 – Q1: During the quarter October - December 2012, the NEES Hybrid Collapse project team led by Stanford University continued tests on the 4-story aluminum frame previously used for collapse simulations on the shake table. One test on the full frame and two with substructures were conducted to verify the effectiveness of hybrid simulation through collapse. Several issues with the test setup and numerical algorithms were identified during the course of testing. It was found that the test setup had significant out of plane movement and addition restraints will be added to the test setup. During 134 the tests, it was also found that the numerical simulations were encountering stability issues, which at times crashed the simulation or made the solution diverge. To address this issue, numerical studies were conducted on the integration algorithms and a smaller time step should improve the stability and accuracy of the simulation. However, increasing the time step increased the simulation time and could exceed the work day for testing. Pausing during the test is not advisable since the initial conditions in the simulation can be lost. During the following quarter, additional tests will be conducted on the full frame and on substructures using updating techniques. The construction of the test setups for Phase II was completed and the control system was verified for applying a combination of shear, moment and axial load on a single column specimen. Preliminary tests were conducted to verify the test system and testing of column specimens is expected to begin early next quarter.
FY13 – Q2: During the quarter January - March 2013, the NEES Shared Use Project: CAREER: Hybrid simulation platform for seismic performance evaluation of structures through collapse completed testing for the project at UB-NEES. Two half-scale specimens representing 1.5 bays by 1.5 story steel frames with slabs were successfully tested to collapse using hybrid simulation. The first specimen consisted of a moment resisting frame and the second specimen represented the gravity carrying portion of the building. Testing for each specimen consisted of two days of low level testing to verify the hybrid simulation control system, data acquisition system and feedback control algorithms for the hybrid test. The main test consisted of a sequence of three ground motions of increasing intensity with the test lasting over 9 hours. This particular experimental portion of the project is now 90% complete. The team will now work with the UB-NEES staff to gather all the data and upload during the following quarter.
During the quarter January - March 2013, the NEES Hybrid Collapse project team led by Stanford University continued tests on the 4-story aluminum frame previously used for collapse simulations on the shake table. One test of the full frame and one with a 1.5 story substructures were conducted to verify the effectiveness of hybrid simulation through collapse. Additional issues with the test setup were identified. To address the significant out of plane movement, Teflon restraints were added to the test setup. However, it was also found that the yellow reaction frame for two of the actuators had significant flexibility. An effort was made to correct this issue through software, but the proposed solutions did not demonstrate increased effectiveness. The full frame test has the biggest issues with one of the top actuators having significant flexibilities that appeared to excite the higher mode response of the structure. In this test, the Pacific DAQ crashed in the middle of the test. The test was restarted but the specimen had been damaged and showed different response from what was expected. The test was not repeated due to issues with actuator supports. Instead a substructure test of a 1.5 story substructure was conducted successfully to collapse.
Progress on Phase II was limited during this quarter since the focus was on completing the Phase I test that occupied the strong floor that was in high demand and had to be cleared for an upcoming project. Phase II of this project involves quasi-static testing and hybrid simulation sub-structuring of a 20-story steel moment resisting frame building. The experimental substructure consists of 1:8 scaled model of a W36x652 exterior column subjected to the simultaneous action of lateral displacement demands, high levels of varying axial load and rotation on the tip of the column. The small bearing testing machine at the University of Buffalo (NEES@Buffalo) is used for the single column test setup. The existing small bearing machine had to be modified/reconfigured for this project. Preliminary tests showed that out-of-plane displacements were significant, so to decrease the out-of-plane displacement in the machine, the lateral support frames were stiffened and braced. Several tests 135
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(without a test specimen) were also conducted at different displacement rates to estimate the frictional forces in the experimental setup and to adjust the bearings (transfer balls) to reduce friction. Modifications had to be made to control the three actuators to impose the desired protocols for horizontal deformation and rotation at the tip of the column, as well as column axial load. A dummy specimen was fabricated to verify the correct implementation of the desired loading protocols in the machine. Experiments have been performed to test the control strategy implemented for the actuators. Additional tests with the dummy specimen are needed for verification purposes. A total of eight column specimens will be tested – six quasi-static tests with various loading protocols and two hybrid tests. Testing will resume on this setup in the next quarter. Overall, this particular phase of the experimental portion of the project is 75% complete.
Project 9 – Borja (Stanford University) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 0936421 NEESR-CR: Properties of Cohesionless Soil Subsequent to Liquefaction and Resedimentation Project Description This award is an outcome of the NSF 09-524 program solicitation “George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) Research (NEESR)” competition and includes Stanford University (lead institution), Arizona State University (subaward), and Bucknell University (subaward). This project will utilize the NEES equipment sites at the University of California at Davis, and at the University at Buffalo. The project will experimentally and numerically investigate the properties of resedimented soil following liquefaction, including void ratio distribution and shear strength. To investigate the properties of cohesionless soil subsequent to liquefaction, a series of coordinated physical model tests, numerical analyses, imaging analyses, and laboratory shear strength tests will be conducted. Physical model testing will include laboratory column testing, small- and large-scale shake table testing, and centrifuge testing. Numerical analyses will include simulations of the impact of non- homogeneities (as revealed by the physical model testing) on shear banding and the undrained shear strength of cohesionless soil, and novel computational fluid dynamics- (CFD-) based analyses of resedimentation of cohesionless soils. Laboratory testing will include shear strength testing on specimens recovered from the physical models, using special techniques to preserve their structure. Imaging will include bright field microscopy (BFM) and computer-aided tomography (CT) scanning of recovered specimens to evaluate their structure prior to and after liquefaction. During the summer of the second year of the project (2010-2011), the Bucknell team composed of Dr. Jeffrey Evans and his undergraduate students is scheduled to conduct liquefaction tests at the University at Buffalo using a new UB-NEES laminar box on its shaking base.
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Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: This project was to have "piggy-backed" on the Dobry Liquefaction project test to acquire a sample of "liquefied soil/sand". However, the Dobry FY13 Q#1 level ground test plan includes a series of repetitive tests that preclude the Borja project "piggy back" plan. These tests will therefore have to be rescheduled as dedicated or possibly piggy back on the Yegian or Rollins NEES project tests (TBD).
Project 10 – Filiatrault (University at Buffalo, SUNY) Share-Use, MCEER
NEESR: Full-Scale Seismically Isolated Bridge Testing Project Description The main objective of this shared used NEES research project is to experimentally evaluate the in-situ variations of physical properties of seismic isolation systems made of elastomeric rubber under a variety of naturally occurring environmental conditions, over a significant time periods. In this seemingly rare instance, the climate of Western New York will serve as a significant advantage in conducting this experiment. The construction of a full-scale bridge superstructure supported on elastomeric seismic isolation bearings has now been completed and over a period of five years, the variation of physical properties of these bearings under changing environmental conditions (wind, temperature, rain, barometric pressure, etc.) will be monitored. In order to excite the bridge transversely and cause simulated seismic motions of the isolation bearings, a dedicated loading/quick release system has been designed and is being installed. The full-scale bridge superstructure is composed of 10 reinforced-concrete box girders that have been donated to the PIs by Hubbell Concrete, of Utica, NY. The elastomeric seismic isolation bearings to be used in the experiment have been donated by the manufacturer, Dynamic Isolation Systems (DIS). This full-scale bridge test project is funded from the State of New York University Wide Program support to MCEER. This first experiment will also provide opportunities to develop deeper working relationships with FHWA and NYSDOT for future funding/cooperative activities. In order to execute this project, a 32 channel Pacific Data Acquisition system from the UB-NEES has been required. Also, staff from UB-NEES have set-up the experiment and will assist in the acquisition of the experimental data. 137
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Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: These tests resumed during this 4th quarter of FY12 following the repair and re-installation of the load cell.
FY13 – Q1: During this 1st quarter of FY13 the bridge load cells were re-installed. Project testing is expected to resume in Q#2.
FY13 – Q2: As of the 2nd quarter of FY13, Professor Andrew Whittaker has assumed the responsibility as PI on the NEES Shared use project. Shared use status for this project was approved by NEESInc and NSF in FY09. No testing occurred during this second quarter of FY13 owing to the need to repair of Pacific Instruments data acquisition cards and replace a computer workstation used to acquire and transmit data. Testing will resume in the 3rd quarter.
Project 11 – O’Rourke (Cornell University) NSF-NEESR, CMMI – 1041498
NEESR-CR: Earthquake Response and Rehabilitation of Critical Lifelines Project Description This research will transform the seismic mitigation of lifelines by 1) qualifying in situ lining technology to retrofit existing underground infrastructure, 2) developing fundamental understanding and analytical capabilities for the in-situ reinforcement of lifelines, 3) combining full-scale experimental validation and computational simulation in design and construction guidelines, 4) developing undergraduate classroom projects related to seismic vulnerability and design of lifelines, and 5) delivering short courses for industry and students, with web-based lectures, seminars, and notes. The research will correct a critical deficiency in current practice, namely the lack of verification of in situ pipe lining technologies for seismic retrofitting. It will use flexible electronics for combining micro sensor systems with in situ linings. This fusion of flexible electronics and pipe lining technology has the potential to transform underground utilities into real-time condition monitoring and data collection networks. 138 The research will be performed through physical modeling at the Cornell Large-Scale Lifelines Testing Facility, University at Buffalo (UB) Dual Shake Table Facility, and California State University at Los Angeles (CSULA) Strength of Materials instructional laboratory, all of which will be used in combination with advanced computational simulation to characterize the behavior of underground lined piping systems. The research involves a university-industry partnership with support from Insituform Technologies, Inc., the largest company worldwide for in situ lining installation, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), and the Center for Advanced Microelectronics Manufacturing (CAMM).
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: No experimental efforts were performed during this quarter.
FY13 – Q1: In this quarter, the second series of dynamic testing on full-scale piping systems retrofitted with fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) lining using the dual UB-NEES shake table system was partially completed. Each specimen measured 30 ft in length and incorporated two bell-spigot type joints and was water pressurized at 45 psi. Two specimens incorporating four different joints were tested under a combination of monotonic joint rotation and axial tension. Each joint was tested individually using a single shake table. The first joint was tested under a ratio of joint rotation (in degree) to joint opening (in inches) of 1:1. The second joint was tested under a ratio of joint rotation (in degree) to joint opening (in inches) of 2:1. Because of a malfunction of the shake table system, the third joint was loaded prematurely and failed without any data measurement. The testing program was interrupted at that point and the fourth joint was not tested. This fourth joint will be tested as part of the third series of dynamic testing scheduled for February-March 2013. Also during this quarter, material testing (tension and shear) was conducted on small coupons of the second type of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) lining that will be used during the third series of dynamic testing.
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FY13 – Q2: In this quarter, the second series of dynamic testing on full-scale piping systems retrofitted with the Starline 2000 fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) lining using the dual UB-NEES shake table system was almost completed. Each specimen measured 30 ft. in length and incorporated two bell- spigot type joints and was water pressurized at approximately 45 psi. Four specimens incorporating eight different joints were tested under a combination of monotonic, cyclic and dynamic tests. The monotonic and cyclic tests were conducted on individual joints using a single shake table. Two dynamic tests were conducted on individual joints using one shake table. The last dynamic test was conducted on two joints simultaneously using two shake tables. One pipe specimen incorporating two joint remain to be tested in November 2014. This last test will complete the experimental investigation at UB-NEES as part of this NEESR project.
Project 12 – Van De Lindt (University of Alabama Tuscaloosa) NSF-NEESR, CMMI – 1041631
NEESR-CR: NEESsoft-Seismic Risk Reduction for Soft-Story, Wood frame Buildings Project Description This award is an outcome of the NSF 09-524 program solicitation ''George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) Research (NEESR)” competition and includes the University of Alabama (lead institution) and Clemson University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Western Michigan University, California Polytechnic Institute – Pomona, and the University at Buffalo (subawards). This project will utilize the NEES equipment sites at the University of California San Diego and the State University of New York at Buffalo. As early as 1970, the structural engineering and building safety community recognized that a large number of two-, three- and even some four-story wood frame buildings designed with the first floor used either for parking or commercial space were built with readily identifiable structural system deficiencies, referred to as a “soft story”. Thus, many older multi-story wood frame buildings (built prior to 1970s) are susceptible to collapse at the first story during earthquakes. The majority of these older multi-story wood frame buildings have large openings and few partition walls at the ground level. This open space condition results in the earthquake resistance of the first story being significantly lower than the upper stories. These buildings, known as soft-story buildings, are prone to collapse during major earthquake events. The result of the soft-story response, as was observed after Loma Prieta and, particularly, the Northridge earthquake, is the destruction of property and in some cases loss of life. Most cities and counties recognize this as a disaster preparedness problem and have been actively developing various ordinances and mitigation plans to address this threat. Some of the most visible efforts are taking place in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Jose and other major metropolitan high earthquake hazard areas. In 2008, the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection and the Applied Technology Council initiated the Community Action Plan for Seismic Safety (CAPSS) project with the main goal of identifying possible action plans for reducing earthquake risks in existing buildings. According to the CAPSS study, 43 to 80 percent of the multi-story wood frame buildings will be deemed unsafe after a magnitude 7.2 earthquake and a quarter of these buildings would be expected to collapse. However, the mechanism that induces collapse of such buildings is not well understood.
The NEESsoft project will (1) enable seismic retrofit of soft-story wood frame buildings based on performance, (2) experimentally validate recently proposed concepts in for retrofit of soft-story wood frame buildings, and (3) provide a fundamental understanding of the way wood frame buildings collapse in wood frame buildings through a systematic experimental program consisting of two major test types at two NEES equipment sites. The NEESsoft project will begin with simultaneous development of a 3-D numerical collapse model while the testing program will (1) confirm the
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performance of seismic protective systems for retrofit of soft-story wood frame buildings and (2) experimentally validate a retrofit procedure developed through the ATC 71.1 project. Finally, both the ATC 71.1 retrofit technique and a performance-based retrofit technique that utilizes seismic protection devices will be tested at full-scale in a series of shake table tests at the NEES@UCSD outdoor shake table facility. In the final test, the retrofit will be removed and the building allowed to collapse in a controlled manner to provide one of the first collapse data sets for wood frame buildings, thus providing critical information for understanding this complex problem.
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: In the previous quarter the design of the test specimen was completed. During this 4th quarter, significant progress was made on construction drawings for both the steel substructure and the wood superstructure. These drawings are expected to be finalized prior to meeting with UB site staff on November 12, 2012in Buffalo. Several contractor bids will also be procured for the wood portion of the specimen at that time. The instrumentation plan was prepared and submitted to UB. The SDOF version of the hybrid algorithm was successfully tested at the University of Alabama on a full-scale wood shear wall. The direct displacement procedure for buildings with extreme torsion was successfully developed and is complete. It is in the process of being extended to a full performance- based seismic retrofit procedure and is being applied for the PBSR of the NEES-Soft three-story Retrofit Building in the next quarter
FY13 – Q1: During this quarter a site visit and a phone call occurred with the NEES@UB site staff. Both provided excellent information to the project team and following the site visit the design of the test specimen was completed. During the site visit the project team interviewed several contractors and one steel fabricator. A contractor was hired and a P.O. is being issued to begin construction of the test specimen on April 15, 2013. A P.O. is also being issued to fabricate the steel interface brackets as well as the actuator-to-specimen connections. These are quite complex because the
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specimen is wood and will undergo large deformations. The retrofits designs are underway, but do not need to be bid since they are not physical retrofits, only numerical. During the quarter X. Shao has been remotely logging into the UB control system to develop the test algorithm, which is on schedule. Two REU’s were hired to spend the summer in Buffalo and, while they’ll be paid for from the project REU funds, they will be integrated into the NEES REU site program. The preparations for testing are on schedule for the project team.
FY13 – Q2: During this quarter substantial preparation was done for the NEES-Soft test program at UB. This included finalizing the drawings, issuing P.O.’s to the framing contractor, the steel fabricator, and arranging the first phase of travel for PI’s, students (including housing), and other preparation work for the seven month construction and test program. The two REU’s, funded by the NEES-Soft project through Colorado State University, were integrated into the NEES REU site program. They will participate in all REU activities. Ms. Elaina Jennings, Ph.D. student at Colorado State University, procured housing and a travel plan to be at Buffalo for approximately three months during the heart of the test program. PI van de Lindt and SP’s Gary Mochizuki and Doug Rammer will rotate with construction supervision as the on-site project representative beginning April 15 (van de Lindt first). The order of the testing is being slightly altered and will be finalized by April 24. The safety plan is also being finalized and will be submitted April 14 with the full project plan.
Project 13 – Shafer (Johns Hopkins University) NSF-NEESR, CMMI – 1041578
NEESR-CR: Enabling Performance-Based Seismic Design of Multi-Story Cold-Formed Steel Structures Project Description The goal of this research is to generate the knowledge needed to increase the seismic safety of buildings that use lightweight CFS for the primary beams and columns, and enable engineers to account for complete building performance in predicting the response of these buildings to earthquakes.
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Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: During the 4th quarter (July 1st – September 30th, 2012), the CFS-NEES project team made progress as follows. • A further study on input earthquake ground motions for the full-scale shake table tests has been performed. Multiple scaling factors were developed from return periods of design earthquake and maximum considered earthquake. A detailed write-up is currently being prepared. • A 3-dimensional nonlinear dynamic model in OpenSees has been improved to incorporate pinching behavior of shear walls. This 3-D model is currently used to investigate the measurement and sensor plan. • Measurement and sensor plans were refined to incorporate feedback from the Industry Advisory Board. • A test plan that has a sequence of input ground motions has been developed. The test plan will be refined to incorporate construction and instrumentation time. • The project team gave oral and poster presentations about the work on the project at the NSF CMMI conference in Boston and 15WCEE in Lisbon. • A joint meeting between CFS-NEES and UB-NEES teams was held at Buffalo on July 17, 2012. Logistics, construction, instrumentation, measurement and testing of full-scale shake table tests of multi-story cold-formed buildings were discussed. The CFS-NEES experiments at the UB-NEES site are arranged to start on April 1st, 2013. It is expected to take about four months to complete large-scale shake table tests of two multi-story cold-formed steel structures. The estimated percentage of the project completion at UB-NEES is about 25% at the end of the 4th quarter
FY13 – Q1: During the 1st quarter (October 1st – December 31th, 2012), the CFS-NEES project team made progress as follows: • The project team has developed a test plan that includes timelines for construction, instrumentation, testing and deconstruction of two specimens. The test plan has then 143
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incorporated detailed experimental loading series. • A new set of Phase 2b drawings has been developed. This set includes the partition framing details that are unique to phase 2b. • A 3-dimensional nonlinear dynamic model in OpenSees has been updated with more detailed mass distribution. This 3-D model is currently used to investigate the measurement and sensor plan. • A report on educational efforts at JHU to date was made and now it is available on the project website. • Construction coordination is in progress.
The CFS-NEES experiments at the UB-NEES site are arranged to start on April 15th, 2013. It is expected to take about four months to complete large-scale shake table tests of two multi-story cold-formed steel structures.
FY13 – Q2: During the 2nd quarter (January 1st – March 31th, 2013), the CFS-NEES project team made progress as follows. • The project team has revised a test plan that includes timelines for construction, instrumentation, testing and deconstruction of two specimens. The test plan has then incorporated detailed experimental loading series. • Drawings for Phase 2b have been revised. This set includes the partition framing details that are unique to phase 2b. • A 3-dimensional nonlinear dynamic model in OpenSees has been updated with more detailed mass distribution. This 3-D model is currently used to investigate the measurement and sensor plan. • A report on educational efforts at JHU to date was made and now it is available on the project website. • Construction coordination is in progress. The CFS-NEES experiments at the UB-NEES site are arranged to start on April 15th, 2013. It is expected to take about four months to complete large-scale shake table tests of two multi-story cold-formed steel structures.
Project 14 – Yegian (Northeastern University) NSF-NEESR, CMMI – 1134940 NEESR: Induced Partial Saturation (IPS) Through Transport and Reactivity for Liquefaction Mitigation Project Description This NEESR project aims to develop an innovative method for liquefaction mitigation based on inducing partial saturation (IPS) in otherwise fully saturated liquefiable sands. The experiments at UB- NEES facility involves 3 full scale 1g Geotechnical Laminar Box liquefaction tests on sand after injecting a low concentration of sodium percarbonate solution into water-saturated sand. The sodium percarbonate is expected to produce small amount of gas bubbles within the soil, thus reducing the degree of saturation in the sand and hence help mitigate the liquefaction potential. Tests involve about 5m deep loose sand deposited in a horizontally-placed soil box simulating a level-ground. Instrumentation will include shape-arrays, piezometers, accelerometers, potentiometers, and digital camera. Soil density and CPT-based shear wave velocity measurements will also be conducted.
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Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Laminar Box testing is to resume during the 4th quarter of FY12 to complete the remaining level ground tests on the Dobry Liquefaction project. Testing in support of this project will commence in the spring of FY13.
FY13 – Q1: This project plans to use the UB laminar box for three level-ground shaking tests filled with saturated Ottawa F-55 sand partially desaturated after placement using technique proposed by the research team. The project team plans to visit UB-NEES in March 2013 to observe the instrumentation and work associated with the Dobry project level-ground liquefaction test. The ‘IPS’ research tests are planned for the spring 2013 and to be completed within this FY. This will involve three laminar box tests on soils treated with the ‘desaturation’ solution.
FY13 – Q2: This is a new project starting from Oct. 1, 2011. The project plans to use the UB laminar box for three level-ground shaking tests (horizontal shaking base) filled with saturated Ottawa F-55 sand partially desaturated after placement using technique proposed by the research team. The work during the first year (Oct.2011 to Sept. 2012) involved bench scale laboratory studies on Ottawa sand aimed at refining the desaturation process and making refinements to the computer simulation models for predicting the desaturation process and determining the degree of saturation that is achievable as a function of time, and concentration of the agent injected into the sand. A system for pumping ‘desaturating’ solution into the soil in the laminar box and in the field has been developed at Northeastern University and tested in a simulated environment. This will be tested in the laminar box and in the field in Year 2. The research group met in July 2012 in Boston and discussed overall test plans including laminar box tests. The laminar box is currently being prepared for a level-ground liquefaction test, and tests are expected thru April-May 2013. Permeability tests on the soil to be used in laminar box test have been conducted. Numerical simulation of pumping ‘desaturation’ solution into the soil has been completed. Details of the experimental plans have been developed. The project team visited UB-NEES in March to discuss experimental plans and schedules with UB- 145
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NEES. The ‘IPS’ research tests are to be conducted commencing in June 1, 2013. These tests will involve three laminar box tests on soils treated with the ‘desaturation’ solution. Overall 20% of the project associated with the laminar box tests for this project has been completed. We do not plan any tests in 2014.
Project 15 – Rollins (BYU) NSF, CMMI – 1052645
EAGER: Shaking Table Testing to Evaluate Effectiveness of Vertical Drains for Liquefaction Mitigation Project Description This NSF Shared Use Early-Concept Grant for Exploratory Research (EAGER) research study will conduct full-scale tests with vertical drains in liquefiable sand using the laminar shear box and shaking table system at NEES-Univ. of Buffalo. These tests are designed to evaluate the ability of vertical drains to prevent liquefaction and limit associated settlement and lateral deformation. In comparison with conventional densification mitigation strategies, drainage can theoretically reduce cost and treatment times by 50% to 75%. In addition, the cost and time delay associated with post-treatment verification testing is eliminated. Unfortunately, no full-scale drain installation has been subjected to earthquake induced ground motions. This lack of performance data under full-scale conditions is a major impediment to expanding the use of this technique as engineers are reluctant to take the risk of employing an untested system.
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: No experimental work is planned in FY12
146 Project 16 – Pollino (Case Western Reserve University) NSF-NEESR, CMMI – 1134953
NEESR: Seismic Rehabilitation of Sub-standard Building Structures through Implementation of Stiff Rocking Cores (SRCRehab) Project Description The primary objective of the proposed project is to develop an approach for rehabilitation of seismically sub-standard buildings through implementation of stiff elastic rocking cores (SRCRehab). The stiff rocking core (SRC) has the potential to re-distribute seismic forces along the core height creating a more uniform drift and ductility demand. Due to the core’s low rotational resistance at its base and high inter-story stiffness, it does not attract all of the seismic forces through the core to the foundation however re-distributes seismic ductility demands from floors that would otherwise have significant concentrated ductility demands, potentially preventing collapse. Concentrated ductility demands on a single story can develop due to a number of reasons that may or may not be foreseeable in initial design. For buildings that do not have adequate seismic ductility and/or strength, added energy dissipating devices (steel yielding, viscous damping, etc.) can be implemented between the SRC and the existing framing to reduce these demands. Implementation of the elastic SRC adds the potential for re-centering of the building and it is expected to be a cost-effective and architecturally flexible rehabilitation technique.
This project will investigate the behavior of the SRC and its interaction with existing framing that includes low-rise and mid-rise, braced frame and moment frame buildings to understand the key parameters for effective rehabilitative design of sub-standard frames. A Project Advisory Committee (PAC) will be formed consisting of practicing engineers with experience in seismic rehabilitation of building structures to provide insight and practical guidance throughout the project. Advanced analytical studies will be performed to investigate the behavior and assess the effectiveness of the SRC for a range of parameters. Design of the SRC for uncertainty in parameters such as ductility capacity along the building height, mass distribution, and input ground motion will be included in the analytical research. A key component of the research project includes experimental hybrid testing at the UB-NEES site. The capabilities of the NEES site allow for near full-scale testing of the SRC. The hybrid testing technique will allow for computational modeling of the existing sub-standard framing and experimental testing of the SRC. The testing is critical for understanding the interaction between the existing framing and SRC and for verifying implementation issues at or near full-scale.
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Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Activities during the previous quarter at CWRU included investigation of the fundamental hysteretic and kinematic system behavior to determine SRC interaction forces and deformation compatibility. This development is being used to identify key system parameters for rehabilitation and help guide the design models in later tasks. Various SRC configurations are being evaluated and compared in terms of added stiffness, energy dissipation deformation demands, and potential for re- centering. A steel yielding detail has been proposed and detailed which is similar to an EBF link with a replaceable end connection and moment-free end detail to connect to the existing sub-standard framing. A summer REU student contributed to the development of the EBF link for use with the SRCRehab technique. A nonlinear dynamic analysis model of a sub-standard moment frame has been developed in OpenSees to begin evaluation of varying SRC configurations, impact of energy dissipation devices, and re-centering that will also be used in further work assessing a design approach.
The Cal Poly team has focused on implementing SRC in steel concentrically braced frames (CBFs) vulnerable to soft-story failure. A three-story CBF has been selected from existing literature and numerically modeled in OpenSees. FE model of the original CBF has been validated by the published results. Nonlinear static analyses have been conducted on the CBF model with consideration of different lateral force distributions and SRCs with different stiffness values. It is shown that SRC with properly selected stiffness is effective in reducing story drift concentration; however, excessively stiff SRC only provides very limited incremental improvement on drift distribution. The results from the nonlinear static analysis form a database for selecting the proper stiffness values of SRC required to effectively and economically redistribute drifts in the system. Nonlinear response history analysis will be the next step on the research agenda to better illustrate the contribution of SRC for achievement of different performance targets. Additionally, a three-story SMF was selected from existing literature and a model developed and validated using the published results. In the next step, SRCs with different stiffness values will be added to the modified SMF. Nonlinear static and response history analyses will be conducted to address behavior of the retrofitted system.
The overall project is estimated to be 33% complete. The experimental portion at UB-NEES is 0% 148 complete.
The experimental test specimen design and planning for testing will begin around the middle of FY13. Test setup is expected to begin at the end of FY13 with testing occurring in FY14. There are currently not any significant changes from the proposed test setup and testing program submitted as part of the UB-NEES FY13 annual work plan (AWP).
FY13 Q1: Activities during the previous quarter at CWRU included further development of the fundamental hysteretic and kinematic system behavior of the SRC Rehabilitation technique. The closed- form behavioral calculations allow for calculation of elastic dynamic system properties along with SRC interaction forces and deformation compatibility at formation of the combined system plastic mechanism. The importance of higher mode demands on the building drift concentration is evident and an approach for including such effects has been proposed. These calculations are being compared with nonlinear dynamic analyses in OpenSees of a sub-standard moment frame. A steel yielding detail is being investigated which is similar to an EBF link that will be used during the testing at UB-NEES. The steel link will provide the connection between the existing framing and SRC and undergo significant inelastic shear deformations while transferring the SRC interaction forces through axial tension and compression. A series of nonlinear static analyses of links under the AISC EBF loading protocol and varying levels of axial force histories are being conducted to verify performance. Additionally, a REU student and MS student at CWRU have been working on review of the demonstration buildings received from the Project Advisory Committee and are developing analytical models for performance assessment of the as-built buildings. Progress at Cal Poly: research efforts have been made to develop computer models of representative steel buildings. Two example building frames vulnerable to soft-story failure, including one three-story Moment Frame (MF) and one three-story steel Concentrically Braced Frame (CBF), have been considered. The finite element models have been developed using OpenSees and validated based on the published results. Extensive parametric nonlinear static analyses have been conducted to address the effect of stiff rocking core on mitigation of drift concentration in the buildings. Based on the developed models, Monte-Carlo simulations were also performed to assess performance of the system retrofitted with rocking core under uncertain reactive mass and thus seismic force distribution along the height of the building frames. The overall project is estimated to be 40% complete at the start of FY13, 45% complete at the end of FY13Q1 and is expected to be 65% complete at the end of FY13.
Summary of Test Plans in FY13 and into FY14 The experimental test specimen design and planning for testing will begin around the middle of FY13. Test setup is expected to begin at the end of FY13 with testing occurring at the start of FY14. There are currently not any significant changes from the proposed test setup and testing program submitted as part of the UB-NEES FY13 annual work plan (AWP).
FY13 Q2: Experimental related activities during the quarter Jan- Mar 2013, has included discussions between PIs and UB-NEES for the first series of test planned on the strong floor. The laboratory floor space has been requested and scheduled beginning December 2013. The structural model and test specimen are being developed by the project team. Particularly the design of the test setup will be discussed continuously with the laboratory staff to ensure that everything can be constructed within the limitations of the laboratory. In terms of the hybrid simulation software, the structural model to be examined during the planned hybrid tests was programmed in OpenSees and substructures are being developed using OpenFresco. The UB-NEES lab has recently been used by a Co-PI for hybrid testing with OpenSees and OpenFresco and all the installed software is compatible with the MTS control system and 149
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Matlab/xPC version available in the laboratory. The experimental portion of the project is 5% complete.
Activities during the previous quarter at CWRU included further development of the fundamental hysteretic and kinematic system behavior of the SRC Rehabilitation technique and investigation of a steel yielding detail similar to an EBF link that will be used during the testing at UB-NEES. Both analytical studies and link experimental testing is in progress at CWRU to verify performance of the link which is critical for large-scale system testing at UB-NEES. Additionally, a REU student and MS student at CWRU continue to work on review of the demonstration buildings received from the Project Advisory Committee and are developing analytical models for performance assessment of the as-built buildings.
Research efforts at Cal Poly have focused on processing the results from nonlinear static analysis of two example building frames vulnerable to soft-story failure, including one three-story Moment Frame (MF) and one three-story steel Concentrically Braced Frame (CBF). The computer models of the buildings were developed using OpenSees. The Monte-Carlo simulation technique was used to access performance of the systems retrofitted with rocking core under different seismic force distributions along the height of the building frames caused by the uncertain distribution and/or redistribution of reactive masses. Based on the database generated by Monte-Carlo simulations, the response quantities that have been investigated include: demands on the rigid links connecting the existing structure and rocking core, demands on the rocking core, effect of stiff rocking core on mitigation of drift concentration in the system.
The overall project is estimated to be 45% complete at the end of FY13 Q2.
Project 17 – Warn (Pennsylvania State University-University Park) NSF, CMMI – 1031362 Stability of Elastomeric and Lead-Rubber Seismic Isolation Bearings Under Extreme Earthquake Loading Project Description The research objective of this project is to develop improved methods for modeling and predicting the stability limit of elastomeric and lead-rubber seismic isolation bearings. Elastomeric and lead–rubber isolation bearings are used for seismic isolation of building and bridge structures to reduce the effects of strong ground shaking. The Elastomeric bearings consist of alternating layers of rubber bonded to intermediate steel shim plates and the lead-rubber bearings have an additional lead plug inserted into a central hole. During severe earthquake ground shaking, these isolation bearings are likely to be subjected to simultaneous large lateral displacements and axial compressive loads that could cause bearing instability. This research will identify the fundamental mechanism(s) causing bearing instability through detailed nonlinear finite element analysis and component level testing. These studies will aid in the development of an improved macro-model capable of capturing bearing instability and the derivation of a mechanics-based closed-form expression for predicting the bearing stability limit state. The results of this research will provide tools to improve the assessment of bearing safety for the design of isolation systems composed of elastomeric or lead-rubber bearings. This research will also develop improved macro-models for rapid numerical earthquake simulation that will provide new knowledge about the performance of isolated structures under extreme earthquake loads. This new knowledge would lead to innovative solutions to modify and enhance the response of individual bearings to achieve a desired system performance. The results will be disseminated broadly to the research and design communities through journal publications, seminars, conference sessions and design recommendations.
Dynamic stability testing of isolation systems composed of four elastomeric bearings will be conducted 150
using one UB-NEES 6-DOF earthquake simulator. The experimental setup consists of: (Qty=4) elastomeric bearings; (Qty=4) five-channel reaction load cells; (Qty=1) steel frame; (Qty= 6) 8.5 kip steel mass plates; and supplemental instrumentation. The objectives of the dynamic stability tests are: (1) to investigate the dynamic stability behavior of isolation system composed of elastomeric bearings with varying geometric properties; (2) investigate the influence of vertical excitation on the dynamic stability of these isolation systems and (3) to collect displacement, force and acceleration response data to verify improved numerical models for earthquake simulation of isolation systems composed of elastomeric bearings.
The scope of the dynamic stability testing includes testing three isolation systems under harmonic and earthquake excitation. For each type of excitation, i.e. harmonic and earthquake, simulations will be performed using: (1) horizontal input and then repeated with (2) horizontal + vertical input. For each type of excitation it is envisioned that 3 different wave-forms/ground motion records will be used and performed at 5 different amplitudes resulting in a total of 60 earthquake simulations.
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Task R1: Develop An International Database Of Tested And Constructed Elastomeric And Lead-Rubber Seismic Isolation Bearings. This task has been completed as of October 1st, 2011.
Task R2: Parametric Finite Element Investigation A parametric finite element investigation of elastomeric bearing was completed to investigate the influence of bearing geometry and material properties on the critical load behavior of these bearings. The results of the parametric study were used to down-select parameters for the design and fabrication of the bearing specimens for Tasks R4 and R4S. This task has been completed as of October 1st, 2011.
Task R3: Analytical Investigation To Develop A Closed-Form Formulation For The Stability Limit State And Macro-Model for Numerical Simulation 151
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This task has not been completed as of September 30th, 2012. Work to complete this task is ongoing.
Task R4: Experimental Verification In this task quasi-static stability testing will be performed to verify the results of finite element analysis performed in Task R2 and analytical studies of Task R3. In preparation for the experimental investigation, including quasi-static and dynamic (Task R4S) stability tests, two sets of elastomeric bearing specimens were designed. The design of the bearing specimens is complete. The bearing designs have been communicated to the bearing manufacturer, Dynamic Isolation Systems, Inc. of Sparks, Nevada, to begin fabrication. Bearing specimens were received from DIS in August 2012 in preparation for quasi-static and dynamic stability testing.
Planning of the quasi-static stability test program has been completed. This included finite element simulation of the quasi-static tests to verify force and displacement demands were within the capability of the equipment and to verify the needed data would be obtained. The quasi-static stability testing has not been completed as of September 30th, 2012.
Task R4S: Shake Table Testing In this task, dynamic stability testing of two isolation systems composed of four elastomeric bearings will be conducted using one UB-NEES 6 degree-of-freedom (DOF) earthquake simulator. The shake table testing of two isolation systems composed of elastomeric bearings has been completed as of September 30th, 2012.
Task R5: Synthesis Of Results And Development Of Design Recommendations This task has not been completed as of September 30th, 2012. Work to complete this task is ongoing.
FY12 – Q1: Task R1: Develop An International Database Of Tested And Constructed Elastomeric And Lead-Rubber Seismic Isolation Bearings. This task has been completed as of October 1st, 2011.
Task R2: Parametric Finite Element Investigation A parametric finite element investigation of elastomeric bearing was completed to investigate the influence of bearing geometry and material properties on the critical load behavior of these bearings. The results of the parametric study were used to down-select parameters for the design and fabrication of the bearing specimens for Tasks R4 and R4S. This task has been completed as of October 1st, 2011.
Task R3: Analytical Investigation To Develop A Closed-Form Formulation For The Stability Limit State And Macro-Model for Numerical Simulation. This task has not been completed as of December 30th, 2012. Work to complete this task is ongoing.
Task R4: Experimental Verification In this task quasi-static stability testing will be performed to verify the results of finite element analysis performed in Task R2 and analytical studies of Task R3. Planning of the quasi-static stability test program has been completed. This included finite element simulation of the quasi-static tests to verify force and displacement demands were within the capability of the equipment and to verify the needed data would be obtained. The quasi-static stability testing has not been completed as of December 30th, 2012. Completion of the quasi-static testing will depend on the availability of a bearing testing machine in fiscal year 2013. If the machine is unavailable the quasi-static testing will be conducted.
Task R4S: Shake Table Testing 152
In this task, dynamic stability testing of two isolation systems composed of four elastomeric bearings will be conducted using one UB-NEES 6 degree-of-freedom (DOF) earthquake simulator. The shake table testing of two isolation systems composed of elastomeric bearings has been completed as of September 30th, 2012.
Task R5: Synthesis Of Results And Development Of Design Recommendations This task has not been completed as of December 30th, 2012. Work to complete this task is ongoing.
FY12 – Q2: Task R1: Develop An International Database Of Tested And Constructed Elastomeric And Lead-Rubber Seismic Isolation Bearings. This task has been completed as of October 1st, 2011.
Task R2: Parametric Finite Element Investigation. A parametric finite element investigation of elastomeric bearing was completed to investigate the influence of bearing geometry and material properties on the critical load behavior of these bearings. The results of the parametric study were used to down-select parameters for the design and fabrication of the bearing specimens for Tasks R4 and R4S. This task has been completed as of October 1st, 2011.
Task R3: Analytical Investigation To Develop A Closed-Form Formulation For The Stability Limit State And Macro-Model for Numerical Simulation. This task has not been completed as of March 30th, 2013. Work to complete this task is ongoing.
Task R4: Experimental Verification. In this task quasi-static stability testing will be performed to verify the results of finite element analysis performed in Task R2 and analytical studies of Task R3. Due to a schedule conflict and the availability of a bearing testing machine, quasi-static stability testing could not be conducted. Instead the PI will rely on data collected from the already completed shake table tests to verify the macro-model being developed as part of Task R3.
Task R4S: Shake Table Testing. In this task, dynamic stability testing of two isolation systems composed of four elastomeric bearings will be conducted using one UB-NEES 6 degree-of-freedom (DOF) earthquake simulator. The shake table testing of two isolation systems composed of elastomeric bearings has been completed as of September 30th, 2012.
Task R5: Synthesis Of Results And Development Of Design Recommendations. This task has not been completed as of March 30th, 2013. Work to complete this task is ongoing.
Project Test Plans continuing into FY 14. All project testing has been completed. As such there are no plans for testing in FY 2014.
Site Readiness Narratives Site Safety Task FY 2012 – Q4 FY 2013 – Q1 FY 2013 – Q2 Last Revision of Safety Plan September 2012 December 2012 February 2012 Reportable Injuries 0 0 1
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PMCR Progress FY 2012:
FY 2013:
For FY12, NEES@Buffalo completed all activities associated with PMCR. For fiscal year 2013, it is anticipated that the facility will complete all PMCR activities outlined in the annual work plan.
PMCR Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Maintenance MTS field service engineers were onsite during FY12 Q4 (July) to repair the static support system on Shake Table 1. The repairs were completed within one week with the assistance of UB-NEES mechanical technicians. Both shake tables were unavailable for the entire week, and the hydraulic power supplies were also unavailable for three days during the same week. One actuator remains to be repaired on Shake Table 2. Normal preventive maintenance was also performed during this week, but further NEES 154 equipment downtime was not incurred.
MTS field service engineers were onsite during FY12 Q4 (September) assisting with installation and calibration of a new controller for the departmental axial/torsion test machine. This effort was supported under the NEES/MTS Cooperative Agreement even though non-NEES funds were used to purchase the controller. In turn, NEESR researchers are granted full access to this non-NEES equipment in support of their research.
Other non-NEES equipment was reconfigured and deployed in support of the NEESR Hybrid Collapse project. Specifically, the SEESL Small Bearing Test Machine was disassembled and adapted for quasi- static and hybrid testing of short steel column segments. Testing is expected to commence in FY13 Q1.
MTS STEX Pro deployment and training continued during the period. In-house training was provided to UB-NEES staff under the guidance of the SEESL Technical Services Manager.
Calibration Several load cells were calibrated in-house during the period (with reference standard load cells) for deployment on several NEESR projects. NEES@UB personnel continued the practice of verification of all instrumentation against externally calibrated reference standards.
Repairs The design for the replacement Geotechnical Laminar Box membrane was completed and delivered. The re-assembly of the box commenced in preparation for testing to resume on the Dobry Liquefaction project during the1st quarter of FY13. Four custom-built five-degrees-of-freedom load cells (non-NEES) were returned from NEES @ UCSD in a damaged state. It is unclear how the repair of these load cells will be funded. A three degree-of-freedom load cell deployed on a NEES Shared Use project (MCEER Ashford Campus bridge) failed at some point in 2011. During Q2, the load cell was removed from the bridge, returned to UB-NEES, and evaluated for damage. The scope of repairs was found to be beyond what could occur at our facility, so the load cell was returned to the manufacturer for evaluation. The load cell was repaired and redeployed at Ashford during Q4. Testing resumed. The UB-NEES site staff continued reorganization of the lab storage spaces during Q4. This is an ongoing project and will be completed as time allows, i.e. when staff are not required for effort on several concurrent NEESR projects.
FY12 – Q1: Maintenance MTS PM, calibration, development, software installation and repair activities: No MTS field service engineers were onsite during FY13 Q1 for regularly scheduled activities. Two MTS FSEs were onsite in December 2012 to diagnose a faulty hydraulic pump control solenoid. Total time onsite was about one day. No pumps were available during the visit. As a consequence, no MTS equipment was available for two days (one day when the problem occurred, one day for troubleshooting). Some non-NEES equipment was reconfigured and deployed in support of the NEESR Hybrid Collapse project. Specifically, the SEESL Small Bearing Test Machine was disassembled and adapted for quasi-static and hybrid testing of short steel column segments.
Calibration Several load cells were calibrated in-house during the period (with reference standard load cells) for 155
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deployment on several NEESR projects. NEES@UB personnel continued the practice of verification of all instrumentation against externally calibrated reference standards.
Repair The re-assembly of the Laminar Box and new replacement membrane was completed during the first quarter of FY13. The UB-NEES Geotechnical Laminar Box is fully operational. Operation during winter months is precluded owing to below freezing ambient temperature conditions which prevent the transfer of sand from the outdoor storage vessels to the indoor Laminar box.
FY12 – Q2: Maintenance Three MTS field service engineers were onsite during FY13 Q2 for regularly scheduled and repair activities. The work that was performed in January included shake table calibrations, regularly- scheduled PMCR, and final repairs to the static support system of one of the shake table actuators. The shake tables were unavailable for this two-week period. Repairs to HPU#1 were also completed. The defect was identified in December and repaired in January. Total downtime for this pump was about two weeks, but this did not affect lab operations since no test required all four HPUs. A newly-discovered leak in HPU#2 was repaired by NEES@UB staff using parts sent by MTS field service management. Downtime was about one day. MTS STEX Pro deployment and training continued during the period. In-house training was provided to UB-NEES staff under the guidance of the SEESL Technical Services Manager.
During the quarter, several potential upgrades to the MTS shake table controllers were identified requests were communicated to MTS field service management. This includes a development project that effectively improves shake table control capabilities. The project was authorized by NEEScomm shortly after the end of the quarter. Supplemental funding for expansion of the NEES@UB hybrid testing capabilities was awarded in Q1. Funding was received during Q2 and the first purchase orders were generated.
Calibration Several load cells were calibrated in-house during the period (with reference standard load cells) for deployment on several NEESR projects. NEES@UB personnel continued the practice of verification of all instrumentation against externally calibrated reference standards.
Repair No activities planned
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Network Requirements
EOT
EOT Category Fiscal Year and Quarter FY12 / Q4 FY13 / Q1 FY13/ Q2 Total Number of NEES Events 2 2 3 Total Number of Participants 143 280 495 Total Number of Events Engaging Practitioners 1 0 0 Total Number of Engaged Practitioners 6 0 0
Capacity Building and Network Initiatives Progress FY 2012:
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FY 2013:
For FY12, NEES@Buffalo completed nearly all activities associated with Capacity Building and Network Initiatives. For fiscal year 2013 no activities were planned.
Capacity Building and Network Initiative Activity Narrative Facility Enhancements: FY2012 – Q4: Owing to a very significant work load to support 17-NEESR and shared use projects in FY12, no capacity building-facility enhancement activities were planned for FY12.
FY2013 – Q1: No activities planned.
FY2013 – Q2: No activities planned.
IT Community Activities: FY2012 – Q4: No activities planned.
FY2013 – Q1: No activities planned.
FY2013 – Q2: No activities planned.
Network EOT: FY2012 – Q4: No activities planned.
FY2013 – Q1: No activities planned.
FY2013 – Q2: No activities planned.
Network Resource Sharing: FY2012 – Q4: No activities planned.
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FY2013 – Q1: No activities planned.
FY2013 – Q2: No activities planned.
Annualized Equipment Maintenance AEM expenditures during FY12 Q#4 included the procurement of six spare Pacific Instruments DAQ cards and one Dell computational server.
Supplemental Awards and Major Equipment Repair The UB-NEES site received a site productivity supplement for the expansion of its Hybrid Simulation hardware and software systems. With funds officially available as of February 20th 2013, a procurement was issued to MTS Systems Corp. for the major hardware components.
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4.6 University of Texas Austin
T-Rex, a NEES@UTexas massive, 64,000 lb shaker truck, is in New Zealand to help earthquake engineers grapple with a seismic challenge following a series of destructive earthquakes that shook its second largest city, Christchurch, in 2010 - 2011. Since then, as many as 7,500 homes have been abandoned due to earthquake damage, and 30 percent of the structures in its central business district, including more than 20, 15-plus story buildings have been demolished.
A group photograph of researchers from New Zealand and the USA at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, NZ (from the left, Dr. Kenneth H. Stokoe1, Dr. Brendon A. Bradley2, Dr. Richard Fragaszy13, Dr. Jarg Pettinga4, Dr. Misko Cubrinovski2, Dr. Brady Cox1, and Dr. Liam Wotherspoon4. Note: 1, University of Texas 2. University of Canterbury, 3. US National Science Foundation and 4. University of Auckland)
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University of Texas Austin – Mobile Shakers and Field Instrumentation Annual Facility Snapshot Narrative FY 2013
Site Personnel
Kenneth Stokoe, PI Ellen Rathje, Co-PI Clark Wilson, Co-PI Farnyuh Menq, Site Operations Manager Robert Kent, IT Manager Cecil Hoffpauir, Hydraulic Specialist/Field Manager Andrew Valentine, Technical Staff Assistant Frank Wise, Electronics Technician Julia Roberts, Graduate Research Assistant Melinda Jakobovits, Administrative Associate
NEES@UTexas (From Top Left to Bottom Right) – Kenneth Stokoe, Ellen Rathje, Clark Wilson, Farnyuh Menq, Robert Kent, Cecil Hoffpauir, and Andrew Valentine
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Budget Summary Annual Work Plan Distribution Reported Distribution Work Breakdown Structure FY 2013 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2012 (Q1 and Q2) Shared-Use Research Support $234,497 $245,499 $236,485 $114,131 Site Readiness $346,959 $360,569 $387,633 $132,857 Network Requirements $258,904 $252,412 $247,992 $71,272 IT Community Activities $13,584 - $5,884 - Facility Enhancement Activities $74,543 $2,169 $70,000 $923 Network EOT $19,507 - - - Annualized Equipment Maintenance - - - - Network Resource Sharing - $70,191 - - Total $947,994 $930,840 $947,994 $319,183 *All values obtained from quarterly financial reports submitted by facilities. Actual values are reconciled by the business office.
Figure 39: Cumulative Reported and Planned Expenditures According to WBS for FY 2012
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Figure 40: Cumulative Reported and Planned Expenditures According to WBS for Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 of FY 2013
Shared-Use Research
Average Project Support Progress All NEES facilities, as a part of their annual work plan, submit proposed project completion percentages for all supported projects during that fiscal year. Progress is reported quarterly and tracked by NEEScomm. The following figure represents the average reported progress for all supported projects compared to the target completion percentage as outlined in the annual work plan. A similar graph is shown for each project.
164 Using the percent progress for each project, equivalent projects are determined for each site. As an example, if a facility completed 50% of two projects and 25% of a third in a certain fiscal year, that facility has completed 1.25 equivalent projects. Fiscal Year Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Planned Equivalent Number of 2012 0.07 0.73 0.99 1.32 2.27 Completed Projects 2013 0.29 0.72 - - 2.16 For FY12, NEES@UTexas planned, according to their AWP, that they would be 82% complete with all projects at the facility, on average. By the end of FY12 NEES@UTexas had reached a 67% average completion. For fiscal year 2013, it is clear that the primary bulk of work is completed during the third and fourth quarters. As such, it is anticipated that NEES@UTexas will meet the planned project completion.
Project 1 – Bielak (Carnegie-Melon University) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 0619078
NEESR-SG: High-fidelity site characterization by experimentation, field observation, and inversion- based modeling Project Description The aim of this project is to develop the capability for characterizing the detailed geological structure and mechanical properties of individual sites and/or complete basins by means of integrated in-situ field testing techniques, observation of ground motion from actual earthquakes, and inversion-based modeling. The two most important types of mechanical properties that the user will seek to identify are the seismic velocities (primary (P-wave), and shear (S-wave)), and the intrinsic attenuation of the various soils. To attain such characterization capabilities, the user will exploit the resources afforded by two NEES sites, the permanent and temporary instrumentation at Garner Valley in CA (nees@UCSB) operated by the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB), and the mobile shakers operated by the University of Texas at Austin (nees@UTexas), respectively. It is a central goal of the proposed work to seek to demonstrate and validate our development by characterizing a large portion of the Garner Valley in Southern California as a prototype application. Project Progress
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Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Assist researchers in analyzing and uploading field data.
FY13 – Q1: Assist researchers in analyzing and uploading field data.
FY13 – Q2: Assist researchers in analyzing and uploading field data.
Project 2 – Zeghal (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 0830325
NEESR-II - Advanced Site Monitoring and Effective Characterization of Site Nonlinear Dynamic Properties and Model Calibration Project Description Seven wireless shape acceleration arrays (WSAA) are installed permanently at the NEES Wildlife Refuge site managed by nees@UCSB. The site will be excited using the T-Rex at the University of Texas at Austin. During these T-Rex excitations, the site response will be recorded using the WSAAs and the sensors currently existing at the site. Liquefaction sensors developed at nees@UTexas may also be used to monitor pore water pressure during and after the shaking. SASW test will be conducted in the array to verify the shear wave velocity before and after the shaking. This is a two years project. During FY10 and FY11, T-Rex will be used as a dynamic source for site investigation at Imperial Valley, CA. Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: None
FY13 – Q1: None
FY13 – Q2: None
166 Project 3 – Zekkos (University of Michigan) NSF-NEESR, CMMI – 1041566
NEESR-CR: Seismic Response of Landfills: In-Situ Evaluation of Dynamic Properties of Municipal Solid Waste, Comparison to Laboratory Testing, and Impact on Numerical Analyses Project Description The increasing amounts of municipal solid waste (MSW) generated every year are, in their majority, landfilled. Modern MSW landfills (since the 1990s) are environmentally sensitive, sophisticated facilities and are similar in size to large dams. Recent U.S. earthquakes (e.g. 1994 Northridge Earthquake) highlighted the seismic vulnerability of MSW landfills. Excessive movement during shaking may damage the landfill’s containment or cover system or cause stability failures. The impact of such failures on the environment can be devastating. The objectives of this study are: (a) using T-Rex to evaluate the in-situ dynamic properties of municipal solid waste (MSW) in the small and intermediate-to-large strain range, where material nonlinearity is pronounced; (b) test the hypothesis that the dynamic properties of reconstituted MSW evaluated by large-scale laboratory testing are representative of the field conditions; (c) evaluate the major factors that affect the MSW dynamic properties and explore scaling laws that would allow testing of MSW in small-scale specimens; and, (d) numerically evaluate the seismic response of landfills accounting for the variability of MSW and provide recommendations for use in seismic design.
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: In-situ linear and nonlinear tests were conducted at the BKK Landfill at West Covina, in Los Angeles County, CA between 7/16/2012 and 8/8/2012. All tests planned for the BKK Landfill site were successfully completed.
Both the researcher and NEES@UTexas teams were exhausted after tests at the BKK site. Field tests scheduled for August at a landfill in Arizona were delayed to October due to safety concerns. The 167
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researchers also indicated the possibility of conducting additional tests in Ohio in FY13. Because of the delay on schedule and possible additional field tests, the actual progress is 75% instead of the planned 95%.
FY13 – Q1: In-situ linear and nonlinear tests were conducted at the Los Reales landfill near Tucson, AZ between 10/26/2012 and 11/9/2012. All tests planned for the Los Reales Landfill were successfully completed. The researchers plan for additional tests in Ohio in Q4 FY13.
FY13 – Q2: None
Project 4 – Stephenson (USGS) USGS
Collaborative USGS-NEES Studies in seismic reflection experiments at Reno, NV Project Description This is an added NEESR project. Tests planned in FY11 are postponed to FY12. The overall goal of this experiment is to provide high resolution seismic reflection images of the sediment structure in the Truckee Meadows Basin (Reno), Nevada and along the Reno-Carson City, Nevada, urban corridor. These images will provide key constraints on earthquake hazard assessments in this large, at risk urbanized area, and lead to improved earthquake ground motion simulations that earthquake engineers could use to assess potential losses. Results from this work will also contribute critical information for the upcoming USGS Reno-Carson City Urban Seismic Hazard Mapping Project, which will in turn greatly benefit the earthquake engineering community by providing state-of-the-art seismic hazards calculations to 1 Hz incorporating 3D basin effects and rupture directivity.
Project Progress
Activity Narrative None
168 Project 5 – Stokoe (University of Texas Austin) Shared-Use, US DOE
Collaborative Study at Los Alamos National Laboratory; PI Kenneth H. Stokoe, II at the University of Texas at Austin. Project Description This is an added NEESR project. Funding is provided by U. S. Department of Energy. The planned seismic surveys can be divided into the following three tasks. (1) The first investigation is vertical seismic profiles (VSPs) to be conducted in two existing boreholes using T-Rex in both P- and S- modes. SH-wave source polarizations shall be used to infer material anisotropy. In addition to anisotropy, frequency dependence of the velocity profile will be explored using the controlling source bandwidth of T-Rex. (2) The second investigation is a relative site response experiment with the goal of evaluating the relative response of canyon and ridge sites to vertical SH-waves using T-Rex as a source. (3) The third investigation is an in-situ experiment to evaluate the nonlinear response of the shallow soft tuff layer Qbt3L using an embedded array of sensors with T-Rex and Thumper as the SH- and P-wave source. The source will be positioned directly over the sensors. Project Progress
Activity Narrative Project was cancelled in FY12, Q1
Project 6 – Yegian (NSF) NSF-NEESR, CMMI – 1134940
NEESR: Induced Partial Saturation (LPS) Through Transport and Reactivity for Liquefaction Mitigation Project Description An innovative method for liquefaction mitigation based on inducing partial saturation (IPS) is studied in this research project. Laboratory tests have led to the conclusion that introduction of gas bubbles in sands, thus reducing its degree of saturation, prevents the occurrence of liquefaction. To further advance IPS as a liquefaction mitigation measure to be considered by the professional engineering community in practice, a comprehensive research and verification program is proposed with testing in
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large-scale laboratory and field experiments. The goal of this proposed research is two folds: 1) to conduct fundamental research exploring the feasibility of inducing partial saturation under field conditions, by injecting very low concentration of sodium percarbonate solution and (through flow, transport, and reactivity processes) slowly generate oxygen gas bubbles in sands, and 2) to demonstrate the effectiveness of IPS in preventing the occurrence of liquefaction. Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Assist researchers on test plan development.
FY13 – Q1: Work with researchers on sensors design and field test planning. Assist researchers in analyzing and uploading field data.
FY13 – Q2: Work with researchers on sensors design and field test planning. Assist researchers in analyzing and uploading field data.
Project 7 – Cox (University of Texas at Austin) NSF-PECASE, CMMI – 1261775
"PECASE" Revolutionizing Surface Wave Methods for Engineering Analyses - from Deterministic and Incoherent to Probabilistic and Standardized (DIPS) Project Description Surface wave methods (SWMs) have become fully entrenched as powerful tools in geotechnical site investigation over the past decade, and their end result - a subsurface profile of small-strain shear modulus/shear wave velocity (Vs) - is used as a key input parameter in many engineering analyses. The expanding use of SWMs is driven by the desire to "reach" within the earth and retrieve accurate and meaningful engineering parameters without the need for borings. Traditionally, SWMs have been used to provide a single, deterministic Vs profile for each site tested, without consideration given to measurement/dispersion uncertainty and how it propagates forward through the inversion process used to estimate Vs. However, as the profession moves toward probabilistic design and performance- based engineering, the inability to quantify uncertainty in Vs. from SWMs has been exposed as a major 170 impediment to future progress. An ever increasing number of researchers and practitioners are using SWMs without understanding how acquisition parameters such as spatial sampling interval, array aperture, source proximity, and signal-to-noise ratio influence the uncertainty of their results. The PI will address these issues in his career by revolutionizing SWMs from Deterministic and Incoherent to Probabilistic and Standardized (DIPS). The DIPS plan (aimed at "smoothing-out the dips" in SWMs) involves: (1) quantifying measurement/dispersion uncertainty in SWMs so that Monte Carlo- based inversions can be used to propagate this uncertainty forward into a suite of acceptable Vs profiles with confidence intervals on layer thickness and velocity (i.e., advancing from deterministic to probabilistic), and (2) developing standards for SWMs applied to solving engineering problems (i.e., advancing from incoherent recommendations to coherent standards). The DIPS plan is guided by the vision to collect and analyze a unique, large and freely-shared set of experimental data at key benchmark sites across the country using the four main types of SWMs with systematically varied acquisition parameters. Meaningful dispersion uncertainty will be evaluated for each set of acquisition parameters using newly-proposed methods. Intra-method variability in dispersion estimates will then be examined and the set of parameters with the lowest uncertainty selected to anchor the development of standards. With meaningful estimates of dispersion uncertainty, Monte Carlo inversions will be used to establish confidence intervals for Vs layer thickness and velocity, resulting in fully probabilistic results that can be incorporated into subsequent performance-based analyses. Following this step, inter-method variability will be examined in order to evaluate bias between various SWMs and borehole Vs measurements.
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY13 – Q1: Working with researchers on test and equipment schedule.
FY13 – Q2: Working with researchers on test and equipment schedule.
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Project 8 – Cox (University of Texas at Austin) NSF-RAPID, CMMI – 1303595 RAPID: Deep Shear Wave Velocity Profiling for Seismic Characterization of Christchurch, NZ - Reliably Merging Large Active-Source and Passive-Wavefield Surface Wave Methods Project Description This project will conduct deep (>400 m) Vs profiling at 12-15 key sites in Christchurch, New Zealand to provide critical information for rebuilding of the city and for future seismic design. The only way to economically and rapidly obtain vs. estimates to these great depths is through non-intrusive surface wave testing using a combination of large active-source and passive-wavefield methods. Specifically, active-source surface wave measurements will be conducted using one of the large and unique NEES@UTexas mobile, servo-hydraulic shakers (T-Rex). This large and unique active-source provides the best opportunity to obtain high-quality vs. profiles with reduced uncertainty down to significant depths. The depth of testing at each site will be extended using passive-wavefield (i.e., ambient or micro-tremor) surface wave. The passive-wavefield data will be recorded by intermediate- and large- diameter circular sensor arrays composed of ten Trillium Compact broadband seismometers owned by NEES@UTexas.
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY13 – Q1: Passive tests using Trillium compact seismometers and Taurus recorders were conducted at the Hornsby Bend Test Site on 11/1/2012 and 11/29/2012. Test results show several problems with the system. NEES@UTexas and the researchers have worked closely with the manufacturer to resolve those issues before deploy those sensors in New Zealand scheduled for January 2013.
FY13 – Q2: (1) Field passive surface wave tests using Trillium compact seismometers and Taurus recorders were conducted at Christchurch, NZ from 12/31/2012 and 1/15/2013. Tests were successfully conducted at 15 preselected sites. (2) Field active surface wave tests using T-Rex and 1Hz geophones were conducted at Christchurch, NZ from 3/8/2013 and 3/30/2013. Tests were successfully conducted at 15 preselected sites plus 5 additional sites. Everyone was exhausted, but was also very happy with the test results. (3) Phase II of the field tests are scheduled for summer 2013. T-Rex will be
172 shipped back to the US at the end of summer.
Site Readiness Narratives
Site Safety Task FY 2012 – Q4 FY 2013 – Q1 FY 2013 – Q2 Last Revision of Safety Plan 3/31/2012 3/31/2012 3/31/2012 Reportable Injuries 0 0 0
PMCR Progress FY 2012:
*No planned repair activities.
FY 2013:
*No planned repairs.
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For FY12, NEES@UTexas completed 100% of the activities associated with PMCR. For fiscal year 2012, the facility has an average of 50% progress. It is anticipated that the facility will complete all PMCR activities outlined in the annual work plan.
PMCR Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Maintenance T-Rex: (1) replaced all actuator seals, (2) new power steering, (3) charge pump belts, (4) painted entire vehicle, (5) replaced all hydraulic oil filters and (6) placed new decals on T-Rex. Liquidator: A three-day study was conducted on UT campus to reduce the harmonic distortions at low frequency (below 3 Hz). The manufacturer of Liquidator, IVI, does not have the know-how on this issue. From other NEES equipment sites operations managers, we have learned that MTS is the leading company on hydraulic shaker controls. With support from NEEScomm, we were able to invite a MTS engineer to UT for a 3-day on-site study. The causes of the harmonic distortions were identified. MTS also provided clear solutions for reducing the harmonic distortions. This will not happened if we are not part of the NEES network. It is a successful story on the synergy of the NEES network. Tractor-Trailer: (1) replaced both front tires, (2) DOT Inspection, (3) replaced engine oil, oil filters, fuel filters, and air filters, and (4) replace windshield wiper motor. Pick-up truck: (1) replaced engine oil, oil filters, fuel filters, and air filters, and (2) replaced all 4 tires and moved left rear to spare.
Calibration Redesign the fixture for holding 1Hz geophone on calibration shaker: A thorough study has been on conducted on the 500 lb. shaker used for sensor calibration at NEES@UTexas. The study observed rocking modes generated by the shaker. Although the rocking modes are secondary comparing to the liner shaking motion, it causes distortions at certain frequency ranges in sensor calibrations. The fixture for holding 1Hz geophone was redesigned to eliminate the effects of rocking.
Repair No planned repairs
FY13 – Q1: Maintenance T-Rex: (1) replaced hydraulic filter, (2) replace alternator belts, and (3) replace low pressure horse and fitting. Liquidator: (1) working with IVI to adjust the mass balance pressure (completed), (2) working with IVI to adjust SIB setting for better low frequency control (test results show no improvements), (3) replace alternator belts, (4) replace air dryer, (5) replace hydraulic line to mass centering cylinder, and (6) new paint and add new decals. Thumper: (1) replace all cables to Thumper vibrator, and (2) install long range Motorola radios Pick-up truck and Instrumentation Van: install long range Motorola radios.
Calibration (1) Calibrate/verify Taurus data logger output timer. (2) Redesign the fixture for holding 1Hz geophone on calibration shaker: A thorough study has been on conducted on the 500 lb. shaker used for sensor calibration at NEES@UTexas. The study observed several rocking modes generated by the shaker. Although the rocking modes are secondary comparing
174 to the liner shaking motion, it causes distortions at certain frequency ranges in sensor calibrations. The fixture for holding 1Hz geophone was redesigned to eliminate the effects of rocking. The new fixture was completed in Q1 and was tested. Test results show significant improvement.
Repair No planned repairs
FY13 – Q2: Maintenance T-Rex: (1) Cleaned and re-tapped base plate mounting holes, (2) repair Pelton Remote Interface Unit, (3) repair Pelton Vib Pro 3X electronics, and (4) developed and constructed a replacement for Pelton Remote Interface Unit. Liquidator: (1) Repaired shift indicator light problem, (2) Changed alternator belts Raptor: Charged accumulators
Calibration (1) Document Nanometrics Taurus incident history. (2) Calibrate sensors and DAS for project #6 before shipping to New Zealand.
Repair No planned repairs
Network Requirements
EOT
EOT Category Fiscal Year and Quarter FY12 / Q4 FY13 / Q1 FY13 / Q2 Total Number of NEES Events 0 2 0 Total Number of Participants 0 204 0 Total Number of Events Engaging Practitioners 0 1 0 Total Number of Engaged Practitioners 0 24 0
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Capacity Building and Network Initiatives Progress FY 2012:
FY 2013:
For FY12, NEES@Texas nearly completed all of the activities associated with Capacity Building and Network Initiatives.
Capacity Building and Network Initiative Activity Narrative Facility Enhancements: FY2012 – Q4: Studies have been conducted at NEES@UTexas to increase low frequency (0.5 to 1.5 Hz) output by lifting a shaker truck. To avoid the possibility of schedule conflict of research projects, tests were conducted on a shear mode shaker donated by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Two
176 tests have been conducted in Q4. The first test uses a manual-control 2-way-center-stop valve. For safety concerns, hydraulic power is provided by Liquidator, so it can be operated in a safe distance away from the truck being lifted. With this setup, we were able to successfully lift the truck up and down with a total traveling distance of 20 inches. The second test used a Moog electro-hydraulic servo valve. Motion of the truck was controlled electronically with a function generator, so a better Sinusoidal forcing function can be generated. From these two tests, we have successfully lifted the shaker truck with an electro-hydraulic servo valve to the traveling distance required for the force output. Due to the size of the control valves, the output was limited at 0.2 Hz. We have ordered a manifold for a larger flow servo valve to increase the flow. A MTS FLEXTEST 40 controller was also ordered to create a close loop control for better controlling the truck motion. Both orders will be delivered in November 2012.
FY2013 – Q1: None
FY2013 – Q2: Investigated new GPS system: Part of the funding is needed for Liquidator servo-valve replacement. A less expensive model is being evaluated.
IT Community Activities: FY2012 – Q4: Modifications of the Spreadsheet2PEN program are completed. The program is used to upload data collected from Project #1.
FY2013 – Q1: None
FY2013 – Q2: None
Network EOT: None
Network Resource Sharing: None
Annualized Equipment Maintenance None
Supplemental Awards and Major Equipment Repair Two Tests have been conducted as described in the “Planned Facility Enhancements” section. From these two tests, we have successfully lifted the shaker truck with an electro-hydraulic servo valve to the traveling distance required for the force output. Due to the size of the control valves, the output was limited at 0.2 Hz. We have ordered a manifold for a larger flow servo valve to increase the flow. A MTS FLEXTEST 40 controller was also ordered to create a close loop control for better controlling the truck motion. Both orders will to be delivered in November 2012.
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4.7 University of California Berkeley
Some examples of educational outreach activities of the site. The NEES equipment site at the University of California Berkeley (nees@berkeley) specializes in earthquake response simulation using both next-generation, dynamic hybrid simulation and conventional testing capabilities to examine the behavior of large-scale structural systems under earthquake excitation through real-time integration of computer models and physical testing of sub- structures. In additional to support of research activities, nees@berkeley lab conducts an extensive educational outreach programs for general public and the engineering community as a whole with some examples shown in Figure XY. The K-12 outreach program focuses on under-represented Schools in Oakland Unified School District. The district’s enrollment ethnicity is quite broad with more than 72% of Hispanic and African American descents. Students of 44 classrooms were exposed to the site’s research activities in the last year along. The site provides significant number of hybrid simulation workshops to both prospective and NSF-supported researchers as well as to the broader engineering community and even to researchers located in different parts of the world. The workshops recently conducted by the site are: Workshop on Electric System Earthquake Engineering, April 18, 2013, Workshop on Applications of Hybrid Simulation in Design and Development of Electrical Equipment, October 16, 2012, Mini‐ Symposium on Hybrid Simulation: Theory and Applications (at Minho University, Guimarães, Portugal), October 2, 2012, Hybrid Simulation Workshop with Emphasis on Real-Time Loading, June 28–29, 2012, Workshop on Fragility of Electrical Equipment and Components, June 20–21, 2012. In addition to the above workshops, the site provides lab tours accompanied with a hybrid simulation presentation and demonstration to the attendees of other relevant workshops. The tours and demos were provided for Meeting of Task Committee 8 on Nonstructural Components of the Seismic Subcommittee of ASCE 7, March 4-5 2013, NEEShub Boot Camp Training Session, February 21, 2013, Third Workshop on China-US Collaboration for Disaster Evolution/Resilience of Civil Infrastructure and Urban Environment, August 13–14, 2012. The mentioned workshops, lab tours, hybrid simulation presentations and demonstrations are key EOT components for demonstration of the lab capabilities to potential users as well as for introducing hybrid simulation to broader audiences. For this objective, the presentations delivered in the workshops and the other events are also posted to the website of the laboratory. 179
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University of California Berkeley-Large-Scale Structural Engineering Laboratory Annual Facility Snapshot Narrative FY 2013
Site Personnel
Khalid Mosalam, PI Shakhzod Takhirov, Site Operations Manager Selim Gunay, Hybrid Systems and Test Operations Heidi Tremayne (Faison), EOT Director Donald Patterson, IT Administration David MacLam, Safety Officer Jose Robles, Lab Mechanician Robert Cerney, Lab Mechanician Darlene Wright, Administrative Director Veronica Rodriquez, Administrative Assistant
NEES@Berkeley (From Top Left to Bottom Right) – Khalid Mosalam, Shakhzod Takhirov, Selim Gunay, Heidi Tremayne (Faison), Donald Patterson, David MacLam, Jose Robles, Robert Cerney, Darlene Wright, Veronica Rodriquez
180 Budget Summary Annual Work Plan Reported Distribution Distribution Work Breakdown Structure FY 2013 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2012 (Q1 and Q2) Shared-Use Research Support $447,777 $469,843 $306,849 $307,717 Site Readiness $214,359 $234,428 $99,534 $43,648 Network Requirements $305,585 $344,060 $367,823 $204,648 IT Community Activities - - - - Facility Enhancement Activities - $40,000 - - Network EOT - - $2,291 - Annualized Equipment Maintenance - - - - Network Resource Sharing - - - - Total $967,721 $1,088,331 $776,497 $556,013 *All values obtained from quarterly financial reports submitted by facilities. Actual values are reconciled by the business office.
Figure 41: Cumulative Reported and Planned Expenditures According to WBS for FY 2012
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Figure 42: Cumulative Reported and Planned Expenditures According to WBS for Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 of FY 2013
Shared-Use Research Average Project Support Progress All NEES facilities, as a part of their annual work plan, submit proposed project completion percentages for all supported projects during that fiscal year. Progress is reported quarterly and tracked by NEEScomm. The following figure represents the average reported progress for all supported projects compared to the target completion percentage as outlined in the annual work plan. A similar graph is shown for each project.
182 Using the percent progress for each project, equivalent projects are determined for each site. As an example, if a facility completed 50% of two projects and 25% of a third in a certain fiscal year, that facility has completed 1.25 equivalent projects.
Fiscal Year Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Planned Equivalent Number of Completed Projects 2012 0.45 0.65 1.1 2.4 3.1 2013 0.75 1.35 - - 2.75
For FY12, NEES@Berkeley planned, according to their AWP, that they would be 81% complete with all projects at the facility, on average. By the end of FY12 NEES@Berkeley had reached a 71% average completion. For fiscal year 2013, NEES@Berkely has planned to accomplish 62% of the projects. According to their current rate of completion, it apprears that they will meet the planned project completion. Project 1 – McMullin (San Jose State University) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 0619157 NEESR-SG: Experimental Determination of Performance of Drift-Sensitive Nonstructural Systems under Seismic Loading Project Description This project addresses critical needs for the earthquake engineering community in providing quantified values for the force-displacement relationships of non-structural building components systems including facades, plumbing and stairways. The data obtained from the project will allow building engineers to model performance of these systems in both existing and future building designs. Improved computer modeling tools will be produced in the use of existing commercial software to simulate the response of these systems to seismic excitation. The project’s cyber-infrastructure component will allow practicing design engineers to incorporate NEES Repository test data directly into their engineering calculations with a user-friendly interface.
Project Progress
183
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Project completed
Project 2 – Whittaker (University at Buffalo, SUNY) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 0829978
NEESR-SG: Performance-Based Design of Squat Reinforced Concrete Shear Walls Project Description Squat reinforced concrete walls (height less than twice the length) are important structural components of both conventional and nuclear safety-related structures. Predictive equations are available in the literature to compute the shear strength of squat walls but the scatter in the results for a given set of design variables is large. The utility of five predictive equations is evaluated using data from tests of 120 rectangular walls. The equation proposed by Wood in 1990 resulted in a median ratio of the predicted to measured strengths close to 1.0 with a small coefficient of variation. Test data are also used to quantify the loss of strength with repeated cycling. The inter-cycle drop in strength and stiffness is significant, with the largest reductions observed for walls with aspect ratios less than 0.5.
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Project completed
Project 3 – Ryan (University of Nevada, Reno) NSF-NEESR, CMMI – 0724208
NEESR-SG: TIPS - Tools to Facilitate Widespread Use of Isolation and Protective Systems, a NEES/E- Defense Collaboration Project Description This award is an outcome of the NSF 07-506 program solicitation George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) Research (NEESR) competition and includes Utah State University as the lead institution with subawards to the University of California, Berkeley; University of 184 Wisconsin, Green Bay; and the University at Buffalo. Recent earthquakes have shown that even moderate ground shaking can produce large economic losses and major societal disruptions due to the widespread structural, nonstructural, and contents damage in code compliant buildings. Seismic isolation, in conjunction with energy dissipation, offers a simple and direct opportunity to control or even eliminate damage by simultaneously reducing deformations and accelerations. The United States once led the development and application of seismic isolation, but now this technology is more widely used in other countries. This project conducts a strategic assessment of the economic, technical, and procedural barriers to the widespread adoption of seismic isolation in the United States. NEES resources will be used for experimental and numerical simulation, data mining, networking and collaboration to understand the complex interrelationship among the factors controlling the overall performance of an isolated structural system. Innovative conceptual solutions will be developed for reducing construction costs (e.g., more effective placement of isolators and improved architectural detailing) and improving performance of isolation systems (e.g., use of new isolation devices). Coordinated experiments and computations will address behavioral uncertainties related to isolation devices, such as thermal heating, buckling and tensile capacity, geometric scaling, and strain rate effects. This project will involve shaking table and hybrid tests at the NEES experimental facilities at the University of California, Berkeley, and the University at Buffalo, aimed at understanding ultimate performance limits to examine the propagation of local isolation failures (e.g., bumping against stops, bearing failures, uplift) to the system level response. These tests, including a full-scale, three-dimensional test of an isolated 5-story steel building on the E-Defense shake table in Miki, Hyogo, Japan, will help fill critical knowledge gaps, validate assumptions regarding behavior and modeling, and provide essential proof-of-concept evidence regarding the importance of isolation technology. This integrated, holistic approach to cost-effectively and reliably limit the adverse impacts of earthquakes is also supportive of emerging trends in construction towards sustainable design. This knowledge will be integrated into a rational performance-based procedure that allows consistent comparison of the performance of alternative isolation and conventional systems in terms of safety, loss of use, and life cycle costs.
Project Progress
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Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Project completed
Project 4 – Miranda (Stanford University) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 0936633
NEESR-CR: Collapse Simulation of Multi-Story Buildings through Hybrid Testing Project Description This project will involve the testing of some fairly simple models in our micro lab independent of the rest of our facility. The major effort in this project will be to conduct a series of geographically distributed hybrid tests with the University of Buffalo.
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Specimen#1 was erected in the test setup and instrumented. After first trial test runs it was realized that some modifications of the test setup were needed. The issue was addressed by the site in a timely manner. A number of tests were conducted to improve design of a proposed beam-to-column connection. The improvements of the test specimen were incorporated by the site. The same set of test was re-run to ensure proper performance of the test specimen. The design changes were introduced by the site into all remaining test specimens. Tests of specimen #1 (out of four) were completed. Specimen #2 was installed into setup and prepared for testing.
FY13 – Q1: The work conducted in the first quarter of fiscal year 2013 is summarized as the following items: 1. Testing of specimens 2 and 3 (out of 4 specimens total) were completed. The completed tests consisted of the various combinations of the friction connections and the polyurethane devices, which were utilized to enhance the specimen behavior at large drifts. The number of tests
186 conducted for specimens 2 and 3 are six and seven respectively. Lead blocks simulating dead load were installed on the beams of Specimen #3. 2. Actuator tuning for the hybrid simulation of the last specimen #4 was completed. Almost perfect tracking was achieved for variable velocity testing for maximum velocity of 0.16 inch/sec. For the case of constant velocity of 0.16 inch/sec., similar tracking performance was achieved with a minor overshoot when the velocity changes direction. The decision of constant vs. variable velocity will be made during the preliminary testing stage to be conducted on damaged specimen #3.
FY13 – Q2: The project's research team focused on developing and debugging a finite element model of a coupled system consisting of the test specimen and the structure attached to it. The model is crucial for hybrid simulation testing scheduled for the last specimen. No testing was conducted at the site, since the hybrid simulation model was not ready.
Project 5 – Kanvinde (University of California, Davis) NSF and the American Institute of Steel Construction, CMMI – 0825155
Collaborative Research: Multi-Scale Simulation of Low-Triaxiality Fracture and Ultra Low Cycle Fatigue in Steel Structures Project Description The fractures observed in steel Moment Resisting Frames (MRFs) during the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, and subsequent research, including the SAC study (FEMA, 2000) led to the development of fracture mitigation measures in steel MRFs. Although this post-Northridge research has focused heavily on beam column connections, it is less exhaustive with respect to another key connection in seismically detailed structural systems, i.e. column splice connections. Current detailing practice for column splices in Special or Intermediate MRFs requires the use of Complete Joint Penetration (CJP) welds, when groove welds are used. The purpose of CJP groove welds is to minimize the built in flaw (or root notch), since it is considered an initiator of fracture. However, several recent test and simulation programs in the United States and overseas (Woerner et al, 2006; Dubina et al, 2002; Nuttayasakul, 2000) including three studies by PI-Kanvinde's research group (Kanvinde, 2008a, 2008b; Myers et al, 2008) indicate that if toughness rated filler material is used, then the built-in flaw, in itself, may not be detrimental to joint performance, and the welds are able to fully develop their expected strength. Encouraged by these recent studies, the proposed research will develop scientific support for the development of economical and reliable seismic connections for column splices. Specifically, the major objective of this study is to develop scientific support for the use of Partial Joint Penetration (PJP) welds (in contrast to CJP welds) in column splice connections, and to generate corresponding design considerations. The main scientific basis for this study will be a series of large scale experiments (including axial and lateral loading) on various column splices. These will include experiments on innovative PJP-welded specimens. The experiments will investigate various parameters, including column size, shear-moment ratio and weld details. The study is supported by the National Science Foundation and the American Institute of Steel Construction.
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Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: During project’s execution the site encountered a technical problem with the 4Mlb Universal Test Machine. The site was able to mobilize the resources accordingly and resolve the issue in a timely manner. The site and the PI also addressed capacity of the UTM's platen in bending. The latter was needed because the loads were approaching the capacity of the press. A new flipping mechanism to allow cyclic loading of a test specimen was designed and fabricated. The mechanism was designed to ensure a safe and expedited flipping procedure of heavy test specimens in the 3-point bending setup under the loading head. All 5 specimens were tested in 4Mlbs Universal Test Machine. The project was completed.
Project 6 – Dusicka(Portland State University) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 0830414
NEESR-II: Toward Rapid Return to Occupancy in Unbraced Steel Frames Project Description The large scale experimental phase of this NEESR-II project focuses on validating the system response of the linked column frame system, developed as a braced free structural steel lateral system capable of returning rapidly to functionality via replacement of key components. Hybrid tests will be conducted on 2 different frames, each with different structural characteristics as governed by the replaceable components and the contributions of the remainder of the system. The experimental frames will be a single bay two story subsystem of a three story 6 bay structures modeled in OpenSees.
188 Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: The site continued working with the PI and researchers in finalizing setup, specimen design, and installation details. The fixtures for the test setup funded by a supplement were fabricated and will be shipped to the experimental site in October. The details of attachment points to the existing floor bracket were finalized and incorporated into specimens’ drawing. The specimens were fabricated and delivered to the site. The floor bracket’s installation continued at the lab. The number of channels and instrumentation details were finalized. Since the number of requested channels exceeds capacity of the site’s DAQ, the site is looking into possibility of borrowing a portable DAQ from nees@UCLA.
FY13 – Q1: The site continued working with the PI and researchers in finalizing setup, specimen design, and installation details. A summary of major activities at the site are provided below: 1. The fixtures for the test setup funded by a supplement were fabricated and were shipped to the experimental site in October. 2. Both actuator brackets were installed on the reaction wall. 3. Spreader beams were aligned with the load application points and bolted to the actuator brackets. 4. Out-plane-restrain frame was finalized and a need in two brand new T-sections lighter than the existing ones was identified; to minimize effects of eccentric mass associated with T-sections they were decided to suspend from the columns. 5. Two spacers for the bottom bracket have been designed and fabricated. They were needed for having the bottom actuators at the right distance from the double column. 6. Bolts in beam links, major components which performance controls specimen performance and outcome of tests, were pre-stressed to specified torque value. 7. The holes under the double column were enlarged to install larger bolts at this critical location. 8. The site worked on a detailed FE model of the strong floor with the recent reinforcement details to ensure safety of the test program and keep the forces below capacity of the reinforced strong floor. 9. The site confirmed with nees@Reno that the load cell loaned to nees@berkeley can stay here till end of the test program. 189
10. Specimen #1 was fully strain gaged and targets for the position transducers were welded throughout elevation of the specimen. 11. The site looked into possibility of borrowing data acquisition channels from other sources, the instrumentation list of the test specimen calls for 230+ channels, but the site’s capability is limited to 192. The source was identified and the site is looking into expanding the junction boxes to accommodate new channels.
FY13 – Q2: 1. Specimen assembly was completed 2. Spreader beams under the strong floor were welded to each other to increase capacity of the strong floor 3. Both T-sections of the out-of-plane system were installed at the right elevation and right distance from the specimen 4. All six slider plates and 16 locking plates of the out-of-plane system are installed and adjusted to the right distance from the specimen 5. Some minor details of the out-of-plane system are planned to be addressed in Q3 6. All working data cables needed for the instrumentation were identified and checked for functionality (230+ cables) 7. All strain gage adapters needed for the project were collected and installed on the specimen (around 180 adapters); all strain gage wires were soldered and connected to the strain gage adapters 8. To meet the instrumentation needs of the project a new 32 channel system was borrowed 9. New adapter cables for the new 32 channel system were designed and ordered; one sample cable was checked and its proper functionality was confirmed to proceed with the mass production of the cables 10. Junction boxes accommodating 32 new channels were identified and checked for functionality 11. The boards of the 32 channel system DAQ expansion have been updated to support 120 Ohm strain gages installed on the specimen and proper hardware filter was installed on each channel 12. The calibration of the instrumentation (position transducers) is going to start on Tuesday 13. Two cameras for image correlation around the pins to estimate strain field in this region have been identified and ordered 14. Unexpended malfunction of the 2 actuators (out of 4 actuators total) was identified and corrected; the site's effort was backed up by the MTS team helped to resolve the issues. 15. The site is planning to start testing in early May.
Project 7 – Mosalam / Govindjee (University of California, Berkeley) NSF-EAGER, CMMI - 1153665
EAGER: Next Generation Hybrid Simulation - Evaluation and Theory Project Description The objective of this Early-Concept Grant for Exploratory Research (EAGER) award is to explore new ideas to overcome the heuristic approaches of hybrid simulation research of the past decade. In hybrid simulation, the structure is typically idealized into several substructures, where some of the substructures are modeled analytically and the remaining substructures are physically tested and their measured responses are used in the computational algorithm for the numerical integration. This research aims at establishing the fundamentals of hybrid simulation to allow it to become a reliable method for simulation of structures and structural systems. Recent advances in computational mechanics will be used to create algorithms for hybrid simulation through an integrated approach involving both theory and experiments.
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In that regard, modified variational principles will be used to change the geometric structure of the governing equations for the purposes of time stepping. The research will be conducted using a verification and validation paradigm in which experiments, conducted in the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) and the Civil and Environmental Engineering Structural laboratories at the University of California, Berkeley, will be used to identify the correct theoretical models and algorithms for hybrid simulation by means of different test structures and a tailored experimental program. This exploratory approach brings together the two fields of hybrid testing and computational mechanics, in a synergistic fashion, aiming at the interdisciplinary advancement of the field. If successful, this work will represent a major conceptual shift from the present hybrid simulation techniques and will establish a thorough basis for hybrid simulations rooted on sound experimentation coupled with theoretical and applied multi-scale mechanics.
The structural safety of the built environment is critical to all citizens. When faced with the challenges of constructing bridges, buildings, power plants, and other infrastructure to withstand the extreme forces from earthquakes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters, engineers need to be able to test new ideas in a safe and reliable manner without having to construct full-scale prototypes. The research aims at providing engineers a robust methodology to reliably test components for new designs without having to build complete structural systems solely for test purposes, leading to safer and more reliable structures for everyone. This award also aims to train a new generation of engineers to be knowledgeable in both the theory and practice of hybrid simulation.
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q2: SURF and ETP of the project were finalized. First phase of testing was initiated. A number of hybrid simulations were conducted in micro NEES laboratory.
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Project 8 – Deierlein (Stanford University) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 1135029
NEESR: Development and Simulation of Seismically Isolated Unibody Residential Buildings for Enhanced Life-Cycle Performance Project Description The objective of the project is to confirm the performance characteristics of a newly developed seismic isolator system for light-frame construction. The project will be conducted in two phases: (1) component tests of the seismic isolation system and (2) dynamic testing of seismically isolated rooms. In contrast to conventional rubber bearing or friction pendulum isolators, the proposed isolator system is specifically designed for relatively low compression loads and low friction. The isolator system consists of (a) off-the- shelf bearings (such as used in manufacturing plants for material handling), (b) a viscous damper (truck shock absorber), and (c) a restoring spring (truck coil spring or fluoroelastic cord). The component tests are intended to characterize the performance under the applied compressive bearing and cyclic horizontal displacements/loads. The cyclic horizontal cycles are expected to range in amplitude up to +/- 20 inches, forces up to 2 kips, and earthquake loading rates of about 1 Hz. The objective of the seismically isolated room tests is to confirm the response of three-dimensional light-framed room assemblies that incorporate new unibody construction features with enhanced gypsum board and stucco wall construction. A key aspect of the tests will be to mimic the realistic support and loading conditions in low-rise residential construction. Important attributes of the three-dimensional room assemblies are the wall tie-downs and joints between intersecting walls and ceilings. The rooms will be 8 ft tall and between 12 and 16 ft long in each of the two plane dimensions. Maximum loads are expected to be on the order of 15 to 60 kips in each direction with displacements on the order of +/- 3 inches.
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY13 – Q1: The site worked with the PIs of the project and the researchers on design details of the setups and test specimens.
192 FY13 – Q2: Details of the test setups for both phases of the project were finalized. Fabrication drawings for Phase 1 setup were developed and checked. The order was placed with a local fabricator and the fabricated pieces were delivered to the lab. Unexpended malfunction of the actuator was identified and corrected; the site's effort was backed up by the MTS team helped to resolve the issues. Assembly of the test setup was initiated. In parallel to the specimen assembly outside of the Hybrid Simulation Platform the test time histories were tested on the platform.
Project 9 – Wallace(UCLA) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 1208192
NEESR: Performance of Conventional and Innovative Special Structural Walls Project Description As a part of a comprehensive research conducted at several NEES experimental sites, a number of RC specimens will be studied under compression loading in the 4M pound Universal Test Machine (UTM). The specimens will represent two shapes: prisms with various length-to-thickness ratios and thin walls.
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY13 – Q1: The site applied for supplemental funding to address operation and safety issues of the 4Mlb press to be utilized by the project.
FY13 – Q2: The supplemental funding to address the safety issues of the press was approved. A vendor serving the press was invited to the lab to review the scope of work one more time. The final quote was confirmed to be the same as the original estimate. Purchasing paperwork for placing order with the vendor was started.
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Project 10 – Roeder (University of Washington) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 1208002
NEESR: Collaborative Developments for Rehabilitation of Vulnerable Braced Frames
Project Description This research project will advance the knowledge about non-seismic steel concentrically braced frames (NCBF) evaluation and rehabilitation. NCBFs exhibit complex behaviors, including frame member failure, weld and bolt fracture and prying action in connections, which impact their damage and collapse potential. The capacities of the individual components are inter-related. As such, evaluation or retrofit cannot be considered component by component; an integrated, holistic approach is needed. This project will take such an approach and use an international team with renowned expertise on concentrically braced frames (CBFs) and state of the art facilities to improve NCBFs. The vulnerability of the existing system will be established through inventory review, near full-scale multi-story testing, and nonlinear building simulation through collapse. A cursory inventory review indicates that braces and connections of NCBFs vary widely. These variations result in uncertain failure modes and analysis alone is not sufficient. Large-scale experimentation will simulate multi-story existing NCBFs. These results will advance nonlinear simulation models for NCBFs. Prior research will be used to calibrate models for the gravity frame, which are required for collapse simulation beyond initial braced frame fracture. The models will be combined to conduct nonlinear response history analyses of prototype existing buildings to investigate the system performance, identify vulnerable regions, and strategize about retrofit methods. The apex of the experimental program is an advanced hybrid simulation of a partially retrofitted NCBF building; the non- retrofitted NCBFs are simulated in the computer and the retrofitted NCBFs are simulated experimentally. Project Progress
194 Activity Narrative FY13 – Q1: The site worked with the PI of the project and researchers on design details of the setups and test specimens.
FY13 – Q2: The site continued working with the PI of the project and the researchers on design details of the setups and test specimens.
Site Readiness Narratives
Site Safety Task FY 2012 – Q4 FY 2013 – Q1 FY 2013 – Q2 Last Revision of Safety Plan 6/6/2012 6/6/2012 6/6/2012 Reportable Injuries 1 0 0
Injury Narrative A lab mechanician felt sore in his left hand. He went to a hospital where he was diagnosed with tear of rotator cuff. A pain killer medication was prescribed. Later on the diagnosis was changed to sprain/strain in his shoulder. The mechanician was immediately placed on modified work schedule. The root cause analysis of the injury was performed and it was identified that this condition is most likely associated with repetitive arm motions during specimen installation. The following corrective actions were implemented: 1) stretch and warm-up exercise prior to starting any work in the lab, 2) maximize usage of power tools (when possible), 3) inform supervisors about discomfort and possibility of injury immediately, 4) continue improving ergonomics of work in the lab condition. Importance of safety was repeatedly emphasized at every weekly meeting with nees@berkeley staff. The second incident was related to the 1st one and happened to the same person. Most likely the incident happened because of doctor’s mistake when the diagnosis for the 1st incident was not determined properly. As a result, modified work schedule based on the doctor’s recommendations did not cover the proper job restrictions. The incident still remained minor and the lab mechanician was on modified work schedule accommodating his limitations.
PMCR Progress FY 2012:
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FY 2013:
*Note: All PMCR activities tracked together.
For FY12, NEES@Berkeley completed all activities associated with PMCR. For fiscal year 2013, the facility has an average of 47% progress. It is anticipated that the facility will complete all PMCR activities outlined in the annual work plan.
PMCR Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Maintenance Maintenance visit from MTS is scheduled for Q4. The previous visit of MTS maintenance team was in March.
MTS maintenance and calibration was scheduled for Q4. In despite of the fact that the site was extremely busy, the site reallocated the resources in a proper way to make sure that the MTS visit happened in a timely manner. The maintenance visit was complicated by the fact that two out of three static jacks revealed problems with built-in position transducers. Since the instruments were not available for immediate delivery, it was decided to make another MTS visit later on in Q4. Due to well-coordinated efforts of the MTS team and the site the new instruments were delivered on time and the failed ones were replaced as scheduled. In despite of complications and busy schedule the MTS maintenance and calibration was successfully completed in Q4.
The experimental site allocated available resources to organize the lab. Broken tools were replaced. The maintenance on the boom lift and the scissor lift was kept current. The storage space on east side of the lab was properly organized and cleaned of old specimens. The demolition area was cleaned from the specimens required demolition. The steel specimens were properly recycled. The pieces of REPEAT frame were organized and moved into designated satellite storage.
Calibration All calibrations scheduled for this fiscal year were completed.
196 Repair Broken wire pots were repaired in Q2. Damaged instrumentation and control cables were identified. All instrumentation cables were checked one by one to ensure proper functionality. Repair of broken instruments and failed cables continued in Q4 and was completed.
FY13 – Q1: Maintenance Broken or damaged instruments were identified and taken out of commission for repairs scheduled for Q2.
Calibration 1. The site was in continuous communication with MTS in identifying issues to be addressed. The site was working on redirecting calibration funds into controller updates. 2. The site contacted Pacific Instruments and initiated a purchasing paperwork for calibration of Data Acquisition System of the site. Purchase Order was originated and approved. The calibration is scheduled for the week of January 14th, 2013.
Repair The site is planning to focus on repairs when the specimen assembly for Peter Dusicka project is completed.
FY13 – Q2: Maintenance 1. Originally scheduled visit of MTS maintenance team was completed at the site. 2. Instrumentation cables were checked for proper functionality and failed cables were removed from use by the projects for further repairs. 3. All strain gage adapters of the site were checked for proper functionality and the failed ones were replaced or repaired.
Calibration 1. Calibration of the 192 channel data acquisition system was performed. 2. Calibration of high precision gage blocks used in calibration of position transducers was initiated. Since the blocks are in constant use by the projects the calibration of the blocks was conducted in several batches. The first batch was calibrated and shipped back on schedule. 3. Calibration of 200-kip press was scheduled with the vendor which will be performed in April. 4. Calibration of 4Mlb press was delayed due to delayed approval of supplemental funding needed for addressing safety issues working with the press. The repairs and calibration are scheduled for Q3.
Repairs 1. Since Peter Dusicka project is utilizing the majority of human and hardware resources of the site, the site is planning to focus on major repairs when the project will be in testing phase. 2. Nevertheless, when needed, the major and major repairs are done immediately to keep the projects rolling. 3. The site would like to acknowledge the MTS participation in all repairs of the hydraulic system which were not planned but were encountered due to malfunction of aging hardware. The following issue were addressed in a timely manner by the site and the MTS team: (a) a need of check valves in HSMs for safe operation of the hydraulic system was identified which were delivered to the site and options of their installation in the hardlines of the system were identified, (b) a need of pilot pressure supplies in 3 small 197
HSMs was identified and the upgrade kits were delivered to the site with installation scheduled for Q3, (c) malfunction of the high-performance actuator installed in HSP was addressed on several occasions and was resolved, (d) two 252.24G-01 servovalves which were out of specification were exchanged, (e) some other issues were resolved during several MTS maintenance visits of the site. The site appreciates the timely response of the MTS team to the urgent needs of the site that is crucial for successful completion of all projects by September 30, 2014.
Network Requirements EOT
EOT Category Fiscal Year and Quarter FY12 / Q4 FY13 / Q1 FY13 / Q2 Total Number of NEES Events 8 10 15 Total Number of Participants 879 2368 3482 Total Number of Events Engaging Practitioners 1 3 1 Total Number of Engaged Practitioners 5 5 18
Capacity Building and Network Initiatives
Progress FY 2012
198 FY 2013
Capacity Building and Network Initiative Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: None
FY13 – Q1: 1. The site is using a loaner load cell from nees@Reno. 2. The site was in continuous communication with nees@Reno regarding Krypton system shared between the sites of the network. To accommodate needs of nees@Reno, so they can use the system in a test where other measuring techniques are not effective, the system was left there for three more months. It was agreed to move the system to nees@berkeley in the middle of February of 2013. Both sites will file loan paperwork with NEEScomm.
FY13 - Q2: 1. The site is participating in Round Robin of the NEES network. The set of instruments from NEES@Buffalo was received. Since the 200-kip press was not calibrated yet, the calibration of the load cell has not started yet. The calibrations for Round Robin are scheduled for Q3. 2. Krypton system from nees@Reno was received.
Annualized Equipment Maintenance None.
Supplemental Awards and Major Equipment Repair The following activities for supplemental funding covering additional hardware for Peter Dusicka’s project were completed in Q1: 1. The first installment of the cost associated with the actuator brackets was paid to the fabricator. 2. To expedite task of bolt pre-stressing and perform it in a safe manner a special high-capacity high- accuracy torque wrench was purchased. 3. To expedite process of alignments of large fixtures and the specimen a special high-accuracy range meter was purchased.
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4. Fabrication of brand new T-sections for out-of-plane frame was initiated. 5. Fabrication of spacer plates for the bottom actuators was initiated. The following activities for supplemental funding covering additional hardware for Peter Dusicka’s project were completed in Q2: 1. The second installment of the cost associated with the actuator brackets was paid to the fabricator. 2. New T-sections for out-of-plane frame were fabricated and delivered to the site. 3. More welding supplies were ordered for onsite welding activities.
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4.8 University of California Davis
NEESR Researchers from UC Berkeley are using the UC Davis centrifuge to study seismic earth pressures on retaining structures. Three graduate students are working to attach dozens of sensors that are distributed on the structures and within the soil. When the model is ready, the centrifuge will be accelerated to 36g for testing. A servo-hydraulic shaking table is used to simulate the seismic shaking loads while the centrifuge spins.
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University of California Davis – 75-g Centrifuge and Shaker Annual Facility Snapshot Narrative FY 2013
Site Personnel
Ross Boulanger - Director & NEES PI Bruce Kutter - Past Director & NEES Co-PI Dan Wilson - Associate Director & NEES Co-PI Jenny Chen - Administrative Assistant Peter Rojas - IT manager Lars Pedersen - Mechanical Engineer Chad Justice - Mechanical Technician Anatoliy Ganchenko - Electronics Technician Tom Kohnke - Development Technician
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NEES@UCDavis (From Top Left to Bottom Right) – Ross Boulanger, Bruce Kutter, Dan Wilson, Jenny Chen, Peter Rojas, Lars Pederson, Chad Justice, Anatoliy Ganchenko, and Tom Kohnke
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Budget Summary Annual Work Plan Distribution Reported Distribution Work Breakdown Structure FY 2013 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2012 (Q1 and Q2) Shared-Use Research Support $635,437 $674,514 $510,090 $354,010 Site Readiness $214,083 $238,324 $410,911 $216,314 Network Requirements $223,277 $185,711 $206,727 $153,986 IT Community Activities - - - - Facility Enhancement Activities - $106,473 $88,965 - Network EOT - - - - Annualized Equipment Maintenance $11,781 $7,720 - - Network Resource Sharing - - - - Total $1,084,578 $1,212,742 $1,216,693 $724,310 *All values obtained from quarterly financial reports submitted by facilities. Actual values are reconciled by the business office.
Figure 43: Cumulative Planned & Reported Expenditures According to WBS for FY 2012
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Figure 44: Cumulative Planned & Reported Expenditures According to WBS for Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 of FY 2013
Shared-Use Research
Average Project Support Progress All NEES facilities, as a part of their annual work plan, submit proposed project completion percentages for all supported projects during that fiscal year. Progress is reported quarterly and tracked by NEEScomm. The following figure represents the average reported progress for all supported projects compared to the target completion percentage as outlined in the annual work plan. A similar graph is shown for each project.
204 Using the percent progress for each project, equivalent projects are determined for each site. As an example, if a facility completed 50% of two projects and 25% of a third in a certain fiscal year, that facility has completed 1.25 equivalent projects. Fiscal Year Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Planned Equivalent Number of 2012 0.35 0.81 1.56 2.8 2.87 Completed Projects 2013 0.38 1.03 - - 2.94 For FY12, NEES@UCDavis planned, according to their AWP, that they would have an average of 86% completion of all projects at the facility. By the end of FY12 NEES@UCDavis had reached a 85% average completion. For FY12 NEES@UCDavis has planned to have a 82% project completion percentage by the end of the fiscal year, and NEES@UCDavis has completed 64% through Q2. Based on the current rate of completeion, it is anticipated that they will meet their target for FY13.
Project 1 – Muraleetharan (University of Oklahoma Norman Campus) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 0830328
NEESR-SG: Understanding and Improving the Seismic Behavior of Pile Foundations in Soft Clays Project Description Pile foundations are an integral part of many civil engineering structures. The seismic behavior of pile foundations is a very complex problem with interactions between soils (solid skeleton, pore water, and pore air), piles, and superstructure. This complexity is further exacerbated when weak soils such as soft clays and liquefiable loose sands surround the pile foundation. The behavior of pile foundations in liquefiable sands has been studied extensively; however, similar investigations for soft clays or seismic response of piles in improved soils have been rarely performed. Innovative centrifuge and full-scale field tests using NEES facilities and equipment, simplified analysis methods, and sophisticated fully coupled simulation techniques will be utilized to understand and improve the seismic behavior of pile foundations in soft clays. Project Progress
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Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: The project team completed a long experiment in August. The team spent 13 days spinning their experiment and performing a series of load tests and shaking tests. The team was able to use our "reaction wall" configuration to perform static lateral load capacity tests on a series of pile foundations before and after they performed seismic tests. The experiment was exhaustive in its use of facility resources.
FY13 – Q1: No work planned.
FY13 – Q2: The project team decided in February that it would not be able to complete any more tests under this project. The project ends on Sept. 30th, 2013, and is already on a no-cost extension.
The project team had proposed to complete six large centrifuge tests in their original plan, but it was noted in the ESUF that six may not be achievable given the complexity of the tests and the size of the team, and four was a more likely number of tests. The team completed three full experiments. A fourth experiment was not completed due to an accident that damaged the model. The accident occurred late in the experiment protocol and so most of the effort (and thus cost) was lost.
Because the project team is no longer planning to execute tests in Davis, we have set the percent complete to 98%. We will continue to support the team in archiving their data.
Project 2 – Bray (University of California-Berkeley) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 0830331
NEESR-SG: Seismic Performance Assessment in Dense Urban Environments Project Description In our major urban centers, buildings are constructed in clusters (the city block). However, the resulting physical interactions between densely spaced buildings are not captured in design practice, because buildings are assumed to respond to ground motions in isolation. For performance-based earthquake engineering to advance within our overarching vision of earthquake rupture-to-urban resiliency, the profession needs to understand and address these interactions. The proposed project's focus is on documenting and understanding the seismic performance of soil foundation-structure systems within dense urban environments.
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Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: No worked planned
FY13 – Q1: No worked planned
FY13 – Q2: The team is making preparations for their final experiment, scheduled for May.
Project 3 – DeJong (University of California Davis) NSF-NEESR, CMMI – 0830182
NEESR-II: Biological Improvement of Sands for Liquefaction Prevention and Damage Mitigation Project Description The project vision is to evaluate and establish the potential of a bio-mediated ground improvement process to increase soil resistance to liquefaction triggering and to reduce the consequences if liquefaction does occur in the surrounding soil. We will investigate the dimensions and characteristics of bio-treatment zones beneath structures founded on mat and spread footing foundations that are required to minimize permanent differential settlements due to earthquake induced liquefaction. Analysis of this broader problem will enable the findings to also be applicable to other ground improvement methods that produce stiffer, stronger zones of cemented/bonded soils, such as permeation and jet grouting, and deep soil mixing.
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Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: The project team executed tests on the Schaevitz centrifuge in July. The team experienced a high failure rate of pore pressure transducers, making it difficult for them to assess their model objectives. Their experience, unfortunately, was consistent with experiences of many researchers in the international centrifuge community. The team is now pursuing further development work in the lab on their soil treatment techniques before they can do any additional centrifuge work. Depending on the team's progress and on our ability to improve the reliability of the PPTs the team may or may not execute more testing on the Schaevitz in early FY13.
FY13 – Q1: Planned work for FY13 revolves around wrapping up the project and archiving the data. The lead researcher has been doing some equipment testing and calibration on the Schaevitz to verify and help interpret recordings from his most recent experiment.
FY13 – Q2: No work planned.
Project 4 – Borja (Stanford University) NSF-NEESR, CMMI-0936421
NEESR-CR: Properties of Cohesionless Soil Subsequent to Liquefaction and Resedimentation Project Description The objective of this project is to experimentally and numerically investigate the properties of resedimented soil following liquefaction, including void ratio distribution and shear strength.
208 Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: The project team lost their frozen soil samples due to an equipment malfunction in Arizona and so the team returned to Davis to repeat several of their experiments, liquefying soil on the centrifuge and taking new frozen samples. We were able to make room in the Schaevitz centrifuge schedule and the team repeated three experiments in August. Because the team was experienced and because we had made several improvements to the Schaevitz support equipment, we believe the three tests done in August were of higher quality than the earlier tests, which will hopefully yield better results to the team in the end. We believe the experimental component of this project is complete.
FY13 – Q1: No work planned
FY13 – Q2: The team contacted UC Davis to inquire about running a large centrifuge test in lieu of the team performing an experiment in the laminar container at Buffalo. We believe it would be possible to fit the test into our schedule and feel this is an important task in support of a NEESR project. The proposed experiment is simple compared to typical experiments performed at UC Davis, and the impact on the physical resources at the center will not be large. The new experiment, if approved and performed, will exceed our original scope of work for this project.
Project 5 – Sitar (University of California Berkeley) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 0936376
NEESR-CR: Seismic Earth Pressures on Retaining Structures Project Description The ultimate goal and vision is to perform paradigm changing program of experimental and analytical research that will change the understanding of the way seismic forces act on retaining structures of various types and, hence, to produce a new design methodology that is based on this new knowledge.
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Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: No work planned
FY13 – Q1: No work planned
FY13 – Q2: The project team completed a large centrifuge test in February. The team has told us that they are now finished testing at our facility. This project was a very successful example of efficient testing for us, with the experiments tightly designed to accomplish specific goals and the team well- prepared to perform their experiments on site. As a facility, we use this test series as an important benchmark as an example of the shortest time one can hope to spend in Davis and still perform a dynamic centrifuge experiment.
We will continue to support the team in data archiving activities.
Project 6 – Kutter (University of California Davis) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 0936503
NEESR-CR: Design of Soil and Structure Compatible Yielding to Improve System Performance Project Description We aim to promote a holistic assessment of the effects of nonlinearity in foundations and to develop innovative foundation-structure systems with reliable, quantifiable, cost-effective energy dissipation characteristics that improve the seismic performance of structures. Results will be derived through physical model testing of soil-foundation-structure systems and numerical simulations.
210 Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY11 – Q4: The project team, led by the graduate student from UC Davis, completed another six experiments on the Schaevitz geotechnical centrifuge in Qtr 4. In addition, the graduate student from UCSD arrived in Davis and began work on the next large centrifuge experiment, which will be completed in the fall quarter FY13. Both graduate students are now working full time on the large experiment.
FY12 – Q1: "The project team is working on their final experiment on the large centrifuge. The experiment consists of testing multiple structural models under seismic and slow-cyclic testing. The team decided to split their experiment into two, removing the model from the arm at one point in order to allow them better access to rebuild and reconfigure their test. The project team completed the first phase in Qtr1 and nearly completed the second test when the data acquisition system malfunctioned. Testing on the large centrifuge was suspended shortly before Christmas. The team will complete their experiment when the data acquisition issues are resolved. The details have been shared with NEEScomm separately.
The project team has also been performing experiments using the 1-m radius Schaevitz geotechnical centrifuge in parallel with the large experiments. A graduate student from UCSD is leading the current tests on the large centrifuge, while a UC Davis student is leading the small centrifuge tests and is assisting on the large test. The team was able to perform eight experiments on the small machine in Qtr1.
The scope of work performed is exceeding somewhat our estimated impact in the AWP. The % complete will exceed 100% in Qtr2."
FY12 – Q2: "The data acquisition faults experienced by the team in Qtr 1 were temporarily bypassed in January, allowing the project team to test again in late January and to complete their test in early
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February. The project team also completed another 13 tests on the small centrifuge.
The number of tests completed on the small centrifuge is more than we had planned, but the testing has been very productive for the research goals for the team. The graduate student lead has become proficient in performing the small centrifuge tests, and so the tests have had progressively less impact on the facility.
Testing on the large centrifuge for this project is now complete. The total amount of testing accomplished by the team exceeds the initial plans, and the team was very successful in accomplishing the research goals outlined in their proposal.
This project has been an important benchmark project for our facility in two ways. As a large centrifuge test, the team's testing protocol represented the longest experiment we have performed. The experiment was actually a series of tests, combining static lateral load structural tests and shaking table tests with reconfigurable structural models. Their large centrifuge tests exemplify the longest one could expect to be on the centrifuge for a single test (on the order of 6 weeks), and represent an important benchmark for us in scheduling the facility.
The program also demonstrates the combined use of the large and small centrifuges to accomplish a research agenda. The team originally planned to do all testing on the large centrifuge. When the small machine became available, they realized they could modify their proposed testing protocol to more efficiently perform a parameter study on footing shape by performing a series of experiments on single footings on the small centrifuge. These tests have proven to be very valuable to the team and have provided surprising results that are still being interpreted."
Project 7 – Rodriguez-Marek (Virginia Tech) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 0936543 NEESR-CR: Topographic Effects in Strong Ground Motion - From Physical and Numerical Modeling to Design Project Description The amplification of seismic ground motion in the vicinity of topographic features such as hillsides, ridges, and canyons is a well-documented phenomenon that has yet to be addressed in design codes. While it is recognized that topographic amplification can elevate seismic risk, there is currently no consensus on how to reliably quantify its effects [e.g. 59]. This, in turn, has precluded development of widely accepted guidelines on how to account for this phenomenon in practice. This lack of guidelines leaves an important seismic risk factor unaccounted for in routine design. The PIs propose to study topographic amplification of ground motion through a comprehensive and integrated program of experimental simulations, field measurements, empirical data analysis, and numerical modeling.
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Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: The project team, led by a graduate student from UW, returned to Davis in September. The team had pre-built a large number of cemented soil structures, including columns and segmented slopes. In September the graduate student was able to test the structures on the Schaevitz geotechnical centrifuge. The student was able to build one soil model, to mount one or two structures, increase the g- level and shake the model, to place new structures and then repeat. In this way, the student executed a large number of tests in just a few (long) days. We believe the testing component of this project is now complete.
FY13 – Q1: No activities planned
FY13 – Q2: No activities planned
Project 8 – Dashti (University of Colorado, Boulder) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 1134968
NEESR: Seismic Response of Shallow Underground Structures in Dense Urban Environments Project Description The primary goal of the proposed project is to study the seismic response of temporary and permanent cut-and-cover box structures near mid- to high-rise buildings in dense urban environments. This will be done through combining centrifuge testing and numerical simulations. In the context of earthquake engineering research, this project aims to improve the design of critical infrastructure and more broadly, it serves as a step toward achieving earthquake resilient cities.
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Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: The CU graduate student arrived in Davis in August. The project team needed to finish fabricating and instrumenting their model structures before they could begin their tests, and we spent considerable time finishing the detailed design work and helping instrument and calibrate the models. The team was originally planning to test two model structures in their first experiment - a buried tunnel and a braced excavation. After further consideration, the team decided to do a test 1a with the tunnel and a test 1b with the excavation. The team completed test 1a in September and finished test 1b in October.
FY12 – Q1: The CU graduate student arrived in Davis in August 2012. The project team needed to finish fabricating and instrumenting their model structures before they could begin their tests, and we spent considerable time finishing the detailed design work and helping instrument and calibrate the models. The team was originally planning to test two model structures in their first experiment - a buried tunnel and a braced excavation. After further consideration, the team decided to do a test 1a with the tunnel and a test 1b with the excavation. The team completed test 1a in September and finished test 1b in October.
FY13 – Q2: No work planned
214 Project 9 – Kavazanjian (Arizona State University) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 1208026
NEESR: Performance Based Seismic Design of Geomembrane Liner Systems for Waste Containment Project Description The objective of this research is to develop a reliable method for performance based seismic design of geomembrane liner systems for waste containment. Centrifuge model and laboratory tests will be employed to validate a numerical model for calculating forces and strains induced in geomembranes by seismic loading and to reduce the uncertainties associated with key input parameters for the numerical analyses. Key uncertainties associated with the numerical analyses that will be investigated using centrifuge testing include the shear stiffness of geomembrane-soil interfaces, the compressive stiffness of the geomembrane, the effect of overburden pressure on stiffness, strain concentration factors due to seams, patches, and scratches in the geomembrane, and the effect of geomembrane restraint at anchors and benches on geomembrane strains. Using the validated numerical analysis, the actual strains and forces induced in the geomembrane by the design earthquake can be calculated. These analyses will facilitate the development of more reliable and more cost effective waste containment liner system designs.
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: No work planned
FY13 – Q1: No work planned
FY13 – Q2: No work planned
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Project 10 – Olgun (Virginia Tech) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 1208117
NEESR: Reduction of Seismic Shaking Intensity on Soft Soil Sites Using Stiff Ground Reinforcement Project Description The mitigation of the seismic damage potential of soft soil sites remains one of the leading challenges in geotechnical earthquake engineering. Ground reinforcement methods such as stone columns, jet grouting and soil mixing are commonly used for the mitigation of soft sites. In most cases, such improvement is used to increase bearing support, limit permanent deformations, and/or reduce liquefaction potential. Additional benefits, such as favorably altering the dynamic transfer function of the soft soil profile and thereby reducing ground shaking levels are not considered in practice or in the current ASCE7/IBC provisions. These reductions in shaking can lead to safer and more economical designs. This project is to perform centrifuge testing and advanced numerical modeling needed to fully understand the effects of ground reinforcement on seismic shaking.
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: No work planned
FY13 – Q1: Shuji Tamura, a visiting researcher from the Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University, spent the fall quarter in the UC Davis lab working on the Schaevitz Hinged Plate Container, soil cement mix design, and bender element fabrication. This work will be used by both the Olgun project and a collaborative non-NSF project to be funded through PEER. The project teams will begin a coordinated effort in March to begin building and testing their first models on the 1-m radius centrifuge.
FY12 – Q2: A graduate student from Oregon State University joined Prof. Tamura in working on the small centrifuge. The CGM put together a consolidation press for the small centrifuge so that the clay models can be constructed. The press is a small version of the large press used to construct clay models on the large centrifuge. 216 Project 11 – Brandenberg (UCLA) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 1208170
NEESR: Levees and Earthquakes: Averting an Impending Disaster Project Description The research objective of this award is to investigate the deformation potential of liquefiable levees supported on peaty organic soils. Model levees will be constructed from soils that are similar to Delta levee fills, and will be founded atop peaty organic soil excavated from the Delta. The models will be constructed on a geotechnical centrifuge that enables a small scale model to behave like a much larger prototype.
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: No work planned
FY13 – Q1: The project team visited Davis to begin planning their experiments. The students are beginning detailed test designs and will come to Davis in January to be mentored during experiments under Kutter's project.
FY13 – Q2: A graduate student from UC Irvine is in Davis performing small centrifuge tests. The team must develop model construction methods to build an instrumented saturated silty sand levee on top of saturated peat on the large centrifuge. The construction process is difficult and has not been done by others, and so the first phase of research is dedicated to simply developing the test construction procedures using the small centrifuge. The student built nine models on the small centrifuge to look at the efficacy of different modeling techniques.
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Site Readiness Narratives Site Safety Task FY 2012 – Q4 FY 2013 – Q1 FY 2013 – Q2 Last Revision of Safety Plan 9/15/2012 9/15/2012 9/15/2012 Reportable Injuries 0 0 0
PMCR Progress FY 2012:
. FY 2013:
For FY12, NEES@UCLA completed all activities associated with PMCR. For fiscal year 2012, the facility is, on track with PMCR activities, and it is anticipated that the facility will complete all PMCR activities outlined in the annual work plan.
218 PMCR Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Maintenance Our site does not differentiate maintenance, calibration, and repair for the purposes of tracking or reporting. For example, if an employee notices a damaged cable while calibrating a sensor, fixes the cable, and re-calibrates the sensor, is the time calibration, maintenance, or repair? Effort is thus a weighted average across all three categories.
In quarter four we were able to begin addressing several deferred maintenance items.
When the summer heat started, we experienced multiple malfunctions in our centrifuge operating hardware. Most of this PC-based hardware was installed during NEES construction, and while the PCs themselves were replaced, the signal conditioning and data acquisition hardware has not. We were able to purchase replacement hardware in Qtr4. We are planning a shutdown for FY13 to install the new hardware.
We also experienced several failures in our research data acquisition system. In one experiment (non- NSF) the researcher lost data due to the hardware malfunction. After that experience, we learned to recognize when the hardware malfunctions. So far we have been able to reset the hardware by restarting the software. We have not been able to reliably reproduce the failure, however. We believe the increasing frequency of malfunction indicates the DAQ hardware should be replaced as soon as possible.
We received our upgraded HPU (purchased in FY11 but long delayed in delivery) and purchased the remaining hardware for our onboard hydraulic scavenging system. This hydraulic update to the shaker will eliminate logic control hardware that was installed in the early 1990s. It will replace hardware that is difficult to maintain, and improve shaker logic control that will make the shaker more reliable and more efficient to operate. The new hardware is the final significant piece to our long-planned shaker maintenance shut-down, planned for winter quarter FY13.
We also completed the supplement activities, getting the new sand hopper installed and purchasing replacement sensors.
Calibration Our site does not differentiate maintenance, calibration, and repair for the purposes of tracking or reporting. For example, if an employee notices a damaged cable while calibrating a sensor, fixes the cable, and re-calibrates the sensor, is the time calibration, maintenance, or repair? Effort is thus a weighted average across all three categories.
Repair There were no planned repairs in our AWP. The reporting completion percentage thus represents 100% complete of nothing planned.
FY13 – Q1: Maintenance Our site does not differentiate maintenance, calibration, and repair for the purposes of tracking or reporting. For example, if an employee notices a damaged cable while calibrating a sensor, fixes the cable, and re-calibrates the sensor, is the time calibration, maintenance, or repair? Effort is thus a
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weighted average across all three categories.
In Quarter 1 we have been finishing design and beginning bench testing for two major maintenance activities planned for the large centrifuge: 1) replacing the control and monitoring system for the large centrifuge (NGCMON) and 2) performing maintenance and updating the shaking table control hydraulics. We have planned to install both systems in Qtr2, where we have scheduled a gap in testing. Both projects are proceeding nicely, but managing the unplanned problems in the RESDAQ system, as discussed elsewhere, may impact our ability to complete these projects as currently scheduled.
Calibration None
Repair In Quarter 1 we determined that our two video systems (one for regular analog video, one for high speed video) needed extensive repair. Cables for the analog video system were damaged on the arm, and our PC-based multichannel video recorder was malfunctioning due to age and extreme conditions and needed replacing. The PC components of the high speed system, installed during the NEES construction project before 2004, also started failing. While we have been able to replace the PCs in this system previously, the cameras and frame grabber cards are original. Due to changing PC and camera technology, it is no longer practical to maintain the cameras and frame grabbers without making a considerable new investment. To manage these two systems, we decided to implement new network aware HD video cameras to replace the analog cameras and multichannel video recorder, and to replace the high speed video cameras with GoPro HD camcorders. This will be an improvement in our analog system but a slight downgrade in our high speed system. We tested the new camera hardware in Qtr1. We decided to replace the camera hardware along with the NGCMON and RESDAQ replacements because the NGCMON and RESDAQ work requires replacing and reconfiguring a large amount of wiring on the centrifuge beam and it was much more efficient to replace the video systems now than to reconnect the malfunctioning systems and then replace them later.
FY13 – Q2: Maintenance Our site does not differentiate maintenance, calibration, and repair for the purposes of tracking or reporting. For example, if an employee notices a damaged cable while calibrating a sensor, fixes the cable, and re-calibrates the sensor, is the time calibration, maintenance, or repair? Effort is thus a weighted average across all three categories.
In Quarter 2 we shut down the large centrifuge in mid-February in order to implement the NGCMON update. During our troubleshooting for Kutter's project we also determined that we must replace RESDAQ, the researchers' data acquisition system, to continue testing. We received a repair supplement / productivity supplement to purchase new hardware and to hire National Instruments to modify our existing researcher software to match the new hardware. Due to the complexity of replacing both NGCMON and RESDAQ, we have decided not to implement the hydraulics maintenance during this shut down.
Calibration None
Repair None 220
Network Requirements EOT
EOT Category Fiscal Year and Quarter FY12 / Q4 FY13 / Q1 FY13 / Q2 Total Number of NEES Events 2 0 0 Total Number of Participants 3 0 0 Total Number of Events Engaging Practitioners 0 0 0 Total Number of Engaged Practitioners 0 0 0
Capacity Building and Network Initiatives Progress FY 2012
FY 2013
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Capacity Building and Network Initiative Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: We installed the new sand hopper. This was a safety supplement. We reported it as facility enhancement under the QFR.
Annualized Equipment Maintenance No AEM
Supplemental Awards and Major Equipment Repair (1) In Quarter 1 UC Davis received an equipment repair supplement of about $97,000 to vulcanize the three flexible shear beam containers used by most researchers at Davis. The majority of the award is planned for a sub-contract to Seismic Energy Products to vulcanize the containers, and a small portion is to build the vulcanizing molds locally. We placed the purchase request for the first phase of vulcanizing as soon as we received the award from NEEScomm. Unfortunately, Seismic Energy Products underwent an ownership change as the purchase order was being processed. This project was outside the boundaries of the company's normal scope, but the original owner found the project interesting. The change in ownership has complicated our negotiations with the vendor. We believe the company will still ultimately perform the work, but we have not yet been able to get the contract let. Note that this single vendor is the only one in the country with a vulcanizing press large enough for our containers and so we must work with them exclusively. (2) In Quarter 2 UC Davis received an equipment repair supplement to replace the research data acquisition system (RESDAQ). UC Davis has a site productivity supplement on the same topic. In Quarter 2 National Instruments delivered the replacement RESDAQ hardware. A National Instruments programmer took our existing data acquisition software and modified it to work with the new hardware. At UC Davis, a postdoctoral scholar has been working with the new hardware and our existing sensors to confirm the system performs to our needs and to determine what functions need to be modified. We are taking advantage of the change in architecture to modify the software such that the raw data files produced at UC Davis will better satisfy the NEEShub data archiving guidelines.
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4.9 University of California, Los Angeles
NEES@UCLA, as part of a team headed by UCLA earthquake experts Scott Brandenberg and Jonathan Stewart, employed state-of-the-art mobile field shakers to simulate an earthquake to test the security of the fragile system of levees in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta, the hub of California's water distribution system, which provides fresh water to some 23 million residents throughout the state, including Los Angeles.
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University of California Los Angeles–Earthquake Engineering Mobile Laboratory Annual Facility Snapshot Narrative FY 2013
Site Personnel
John Wallace, PI Jonathan Stewart, Co-PI Robert Nigbor, Co-PI , Site Operations manager Andrey Kozhukhovskiy, IT Manager Erica Eskes, Assistant Mgr & Calibration & Logistics Steve Keowen, Senior Mechanical Engineer Alberto Salamanca, Instrumentation Engineer
NEES@UCLA
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Budget Summary Annual Work Plan Reported Distribution Distribution Work Breakdown Structure FY 2013 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2012 (Q1 and Q2) Shared-Use Research Support $446,511 $424,387 $464,809 $144,868 Site Readiness $169,521 $196,071 $137,081 $103,372 Network Requirements $198,400 $195,364 $205,940 $103,310 IT Community Activities - - - - Network EOT - - - - Facility Enhancement Acitivities - $14,899 - - Annualized Equipment Maintenance - - - - Network Resource Sharing - - - - Total $814,432 $830,721 $807,830 $351,550 *All values obtained from quarterly financial reports submitted by facilities. Actual values are reconciled by the business office.
Figure 45: Cumulative Reported and Planned Expenditures According to WBS for FY 2012
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Figure 46: Cumulative Reported and Planned Expenditures According to WBS for Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 of FY 2013
Shared-Use Research Average Project Support Progress
All NEES facilities, as a part of their annual work plan, submit proposed project completion percentages for all supported projects during that fiscal year. Progress is reported quarterly and tracked by NEEScomm. The following figure represents the average reported progress for all supported projects compared to the target completion percentage as outlined in the annual work plan. A similar graph is shown for each project.
226 Using the percent progress for each project, equivalent projects are determined for each site. As an example, if a facility completed 50% of two projects and 25% of a third in a certain fiscal year, that facility has completed 1.25 equivalent projects. Fiscal Year Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Planned
Equivalent Number of Completed 2012 0.63 1.42 2.01 2.13 3.38 Projects
2013 0.14 0.7 - - 3.28
For FY12, NEES@UCLA planned, according to their AWP, that they would have an average of 92% completion of all projects at the facility. By the end of FY12 NEES@UCLA had reached a 82% average completion. For FY13 NEES@UCLA has planned to have a 99% project completion percentage by the end of the fiscal year. Since most of the project work at NEES@UCLA takes place during the third and fourth quarter, it is anticipated that they will meet their target.
Project 1 – Hutchinson (University of California San Diego) NSF-NEESR, CMMI- 0936505
NEESR-CR: Full-Scale Structural and Nonstructural Building System Performance during Earthquakes Project Description Nonstructural components and systems (NCS) are those elements within a building that do not contribute to the building's load bearing system. NCSs are generally categorized as being either an architectural, mechanical, plumbing, or content item or system of items. Since the 19th century, NCSs have demonstrated their potential to create a dangerous environment for building occupants during earthquake shaking. Since these elements generally represent more than 80% of the total investment of a building, even minor damage can translate to significant financial losses. In fact, over the past three decades, the majority of earthquake-induced direct losses in buildings are directly attributed to NCS damage. Of the handful of full-scale building experiments conducted in the United States, none have specifically focused on evaluating the response of nonstructural component and systems (NCSs) during earthquake shaking. This project involves a landmark test of a full-scale, five-story building completely furnished with NCSs, including a functioning passenger elevator, partition walls, cladding and glazing systems, piping, HVAC, ceiling, sprinklers, and other building contents, as well as passive and active fire systems. The NEES-UCSD and NEES-UCLA equipment combine to realize this unique opportunity and hence advance understanding of the full-scale dynamic response and kinematic interaction of complex structural and nonstructural components and systems. While most NCSs in these experiments will be designed to the latest state of the art building code seismic provisions, non- seismic detailed designs widely used in low-seismic regions of the United States will also be included. Furthermore, this research will investigate the potential for protecting critical NCS systems using, for example, damping and/or isolation methods. Data from these unique experiments will be used to compare earthquake performance predictions determined using available commercial and research computational modeling platforms. Research at the system level that incorporates the structure and the NCSs and addresses issues such as detrimental kinematic and dynamic interaction between systems components is lacking. This research will enable, for the first time, tests of complex systems, which look closely at multidisciplinary issues, using facilities that are fully equipped to investigate, in a controlled environment, the effects of earthquakes on building-NCS system performance.
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Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Testing done in Q3. Help provided with initial data and metadata preparation. More will be needed in FY13, it is a HUGE dataset. Also, some late instrumentation demobilization done when test structure was demolished (cables and one sensor).
FY13 – Q1: Assist with data handling & archiving & curation. LOTS of data to handle, 500Gb just from UCLA.
FY13 – Q2: Some help with reporting & data, almost done.
Project 2 – DesRoches (Georgia Institute of Technology) NSF-NEESR, CMMI-1041607
NEESR-CR - Innovative Seismic Retrofits for Resilient Reinforced Concrete Buildings Project Description This award is an outcome of the NSF 09-524 program solicitation "George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) Research (NEESR)" competition and includes the Georgia Institute of Technology (lead institution), Howard University (subaward), and Rice University (subaward). The project will utilize the NEES mobile shakers operated by the University of California, Los Angeles. The project team will evaluate the efficacy of a new class of innovative systems with recentering and/or high damping capabilities, and develop a framework for their design and implementation to retrofit reinforced concrete (RC) buildings to improve seismic performance. The goal is to validate, via innovative large scale field testing, a new class of retrofits for RC buildings. Five retrofit measures will be investigated, consisting of novel bracing systems, beam-column connection elements, or columns wraps. Common advantageous characteristics of the systems include the ease of application (requiring little-to-no heavy machinery), scalability and adaptability, passive nature, and need for little-to-no maintenance through the life-cycle. Furthermore, these systems aim to provide 228 improved seismic performance in terms of minimal damage, enhanced post-event functionality, and improved cost-benefit compared to traditional retrofit approaches. The use of advanced materials in innovative systems will result in improved seismic retrofits for RC buildings that may find more widespread adoption due to their efficient design, minimal maintenance or disruption for installation, and enhanced cost-effectiveness. The research includes a series of unique multi-scale experiments, coupled with detailed finite element simulations, fragility analyses, and cost-benefit studies.
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: More planning, but this project is very late. Testing now planned for Q3FY13.
FY13 – Q1: Minor assistance with project design. Project is behind, now looks like testing in Q3 at earliest.
FY13 – Q2: Minor assistance. New shaker is in production, new design sent to GaTech. Specimen construction has started at GaTech, we're now looking at late Q3 or Q4 to begin testing.
Project 3 – Brandenberg (University of California Los Angeles) NSF-NEESR, CMMI-0830081
NEESR-II: Evaluation of Seismic Levee Deformation Potential by Destructive Cyclic Field Testing Project Description This award will support full-scale testing of an earth embankment (very similar in geometry to a levee, but not currently holding water) to investigate the in situ deformation potential of peaty organic foundation soils under realistic stresses and boundary conditions. The test conditions and instrumentation will be designed to measure the deformation mechanisms that can result in a critical loss of freeboard leading to a breach. Data of this sort is essential for the development of more rational analysis tools for assessing the seismic vulnerability of levees. The field testing will be
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supplemented by an extensive laboratory testing program to further investigate key material response characteristics such as soil strength loss and volume reduction caused by shaking. The improved knowledge of levee seismic vulnerability will be broadly applicable wherever these earth structures are founded on organic soils. Testing activities will be closely coordinated with engineers at the California Department of Water Resources to identify a suitable site. Insights gained from this project could fundamentally alter the manner in which Delta seismic risk is assessed and retrofit decisions are made. Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Phase 2 testing done in Q4 but will be documented as a separate Project 12 below because of separate CMMI funding (not NEESR) and a larger scope. There is still some data work to be done for this first phase, to be done in FY13.
FY13 – Q1: Help project team complete data archiving. Minor help will be needed during curation phase.
FY13 – Q2: Minor help with curation, pretty much done.
Project 4 – Wallace (University of California at Los Angeles) NSF, CMMI – 0825347
Lateral Load Behavior and Modeling of Shear-Dominant RC Walls for Performance-Based Design Project Description The goals of the research are to develop and validate new modeling approaches appropriate for combined gravity and earthquake loads for buildings that utilize solid reinforced concrete walls. In particular, the project will study the structural performance of reinforced concrete walls, which are commonly used in the low-, medium-, and high-rise building construction, to develop new computer/numerical models and building code design guidelines. To accomplish these goals, 230 approximately ten large-scale models of typical wall configurations will be tested under simulated dynamic and pseudo-static earthquake loading in the Structural/Earthquake Engineering Research Laboratory at UCLA. The walls will be instrumented with high-resolution sensors to measure loads, stresses, strains, and their deformations. Test observations and the collected sensor data will be used to understand how damage accumulates and ultimately leads to collapse. Project will provide methodology to predict damage under moderate to intense ground shaking. The changes to building codes for the performance-based design for both new and existing buildings with these walls will be proposed. Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Prep work was done in Q4, including some specimen construction and instrumentation, but testing is delayed until Q1 or Q2 FY13.
FY13 – Q1: Phase 2 of this long-delayed project is getting set up. Three new wall specimens were under construction and being instrumented in Q1. Testing is expected in Q2.
FY13 – Q2: Assist with wall specimen instrumentation. Testing pushed to Q3.
Project 5 – Restrepo (University of California, San Diego) NSF-RAPID, CMMI-1138358
RAPID: Mapping of Damage in Precast Concrete Buildings from the February 2011 Christchurch, New Zealand Earthquake Project Description The objective of this Rapid Research Response (RAPID) award is to gather perishable data on the damage to two precast concrete buildings during the February 2011 magnitude 6.3 Christchurch, New Zealand, earthquake. This project is a collaboration among researchers from the University of California-San Diego, University of Arizona, and University of Canterbury. Project team members will 231
travel to Christchurch and catalog earthquake damage (foundation, structural and non-structural) through visual observation. The post-earthquake structural state will be determined by means of collecting ambient vibration and potential aftershock dynamic response. An array of accelerometers loaned from the NEES facility at the University of California, Los Angeles will be temporarily deployed to monitor and record these vibrations. Sensors will be strategically distributed to capture the predominant modes of vibration and concentrated at the foundation to capture soil-structure interaction. This data will be post-processed for a first-level system identification and characterization of the damaged buildings. Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 Q4: Data archiving work was started, but not completed, in Q4. Some effort needed in Q1 FY13 to complete.
FY13 Q1: Data still need archiving and curation, this was worked on in Q1 and should be completed in Q2.
FY13 Q2: Assisting with data archiving.
Project 6 – Gavin (Duke) NSF-RAPID, CMMI-1138714
RAPID: Performance of the Base-Isolated Christchurch Women's Hospital during the Sequence of Strong Earthquakes and Aftershocks in New Zealand from September 2010 through 2011 Project Description The objective of this Rapid Research Response (RAPID) award is to collect perishable data on the seismic response of the base-isolated Christchurch Women's Hospital during the sequence of strong earthquakes and aftershocks in Canterbury, New Zealand from September 2010 through 2011. The relatively high probability of additional strong aftershocks in 2011 presents a unique opportunity to
232 capture high-fidelity data on the performance of a modern seismically-isolated structure. This project involves collaboration among researchers at Duke University and the University of Canterbury. The project team will travel to Christchurch to temporarily instrument the isolation galley and the top level of the Christchurch Women's Hospital with accelerometers, displacement transducers, and data recorders loaned from the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) facility at the University of California, Los Angeles. This instrumentation is capable of enabling near real-time observation of the building response measurements. Aftershock responses will be recorded automatically over a period of months and ambient vibrations will be recorded periodically. These records will be used to assess the behavior and to develop mathematical models of this seismically-isolated structure, including soil-foundation-structure interaction effects and the effects of inter-structural coupling.
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 Q4: One station is still recording basement motion at the Women's Hospital. NEES@UCLA continues to operate this device and collect earthquake data. Data archiving efforts continue into FY13.
FY13 Q1: One station is still recording basement motion at the Women's Hospital. NEES@UCLA continues to operate this device and collect earthquake data. Data archiving efforts continue.
FY13 Q2: Assisting with data curation.
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Project 7 – Stavridis (University of Texas Arlington) NSF, CMMI -1235496
Pre/Post Earthquake Damage Assessment for Infilled RC Frame Project Description The aim of the proposed research is to develop a framework for reliable assessment of damage in existing Reinforced Concrete (RC) frames infilled with masonry walls and prognosis of their performance in future seismic events. The main challenges to reach this goal involve: (1) the complexity of the behavior of these structures under lateral loads due to the interaction between the infill and the bounding frame and (2) the difficulty to quantify structural damage, and assess its effect on the remaining capacity of the structure. In this research project advance analytical tools will be developed to address these issues. These will be evaluated when applied to an actual structure in El Centro, California. This two-story building was selected because it has sustained considerable damage due to four historical earthquakes that have been recorded in close proximity. The owners of this structure have agreed to provide full access to it since it will be demolished after the tests. Hence, it will be the focal point of this study and will be studied analytically, but also experimentally as it will be subjected to forced vibrations with the use of portable shakers. The proposed research will include the following components: • Full-scale system tests on an existing building using the NEES mobile shakers that will push the already damaged structure further into the nonlinear behavior.
• Development of refined finite element models that will capture the in- and out-of-plane interactions between the infills and the bounding frame at the system level.
• Validation of the model with data obtained from the forced vibration tests, but also with data from four major earthquakes that were recorded within a mile from the structure in 1940, 1979, 1987, and 2010.
• Development of a damage identification technique that will identify the location of damage and also provide a measure of it.
A framework that will allow the correlation of the identified extent of damage and the available/remaining capacity of the structure, a crucial need that existing methods do not address.
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Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: This new project was an NSF CMMI award made September 1, 2012. It involves testing an earthquake-damaged building in El Centro, California. In September, planning was started and a site visit was made to a prospective building in El Centro. Quick ambient vibration monitoring was done by the UCLA staff during this walk-through. We also met at City Hall with city officials and the property owners to discuss protocols and schedule. Field work is anticipated in Q1-Q3 FY13.
FY13 – Q1: One trip to El Centro, lots of phone & WebEx meetings. Project delayed due to permissions & legal issues with El Centro building. Looks like Q2, maybe.
FY13 – Q2: Lots of help with negotiations for permission to test building in El Centro. Many legal hurdles. Still uncertain and testing in summer is out due to heat. Not sure what will happen here.
Project 8 – Van de Lindt (University of Alabama) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 1041631
NEESR-CR: NEESsoft-Seismic Risk Reduction for Soft-Story, Wood frame Buildings Project Description The purpose of this multi-tasks project is to verify the collapse analyses using shake table results. As part of the project, a full-scale three-story wood frame building having a soft story will be tested to collapse using the U.C. San Diego NEES facility. A nominally identical building, except that it has been rehabilitated using the ATC-71.1 inverted moment frame retrofit technique, will also be tested to collapse in Task 8 of the proposal.
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Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY13 – Q2: On hold for the last 3 quarters.
Project 9 – Moehle (University of California-Berkeley) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 0618804
NEESR-GC: Mitigation of Collapse Risk in Vulnerable Concrete Buildings Project Description This multi-institution award is an outcome of the NSF 06-504 program solicitation "George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation Research (NEESR)" competition. One of the greatest overall seismic risks in the United States is the risk of collapse of older concrete buildings in a major urban earthquake, yet there are no solutions to how to address this in a cost-effective manner. Policy makers and building owners are frustrated by the costs of retrofitting large inventories of existing buildings. Engineers need tools to accurately assess the risk of individual buildings and to differentiate between adequate buildings and potentially hazardous ones, so building owners can prioritize mitigation expenses. Regulatory agencies need better information on the regional extent of the risk so that effective policy measures can be put in place to effect regional mitigation efforts. This project will study the collapse potential of older non-ductile concrete buildings, which are pervasive and high risk, to improve and disseminate effective engineering assessment and retrofit tools and to define appropriate incentive or policy measures to mitigate the risk. The research will investigate four areas: 1) Exposure - a single urban region will be selected to serve as a model for other regions, and an inventory model suitable to study the regional collapse risk of older type concrete buildings will be developed; 2) Component and System Performance - laboratory and field experiments will be conducted on components, subassemblies, and soil-foundation-structure systems to better understand conditions that lead to collapse; 3) Building and Regional Simulation - models will be developed and implemented in nonlinear dynamic analysis software useful to earthquake engineers, and results will be extended through regional dynamic simulations to help understand the regional
236 distribution of building collapses in a major earthquake; and 4) Mitigation Strategies - effective mitigation strategies and coalitions involving engineers, planners, policy experts, and stakeholders will be developed to promote action for risk reduction. The program features a significant education component aimed at increasing diversity in earthquake engineering, international collaborations, and outreach to disseminate results to a broad community.
The intellectual merit lies in the multi-disciplinary challenge of understanding the conditions and mechanics of collapse under three-dimensional loading, implementing that understanding in software usable for individual building analysis, and extending the understanding to the regional level where the intersection among engineering science, economics, and public policy will provide a rational basis for recommending the best mitigation strategies.
The broader impacts of the project are extensive. The research program tackles an important and challenging problem that will advance discovery and understanding of earthquake engineering. The education program will expose a diverse population of undergraduates to the program and promote top candidates into graduate research. The results of the research will be disseminated in several ways, including: by sharing results using the NEES resources, by involving earthquake professionals and urban planners, and by disseminating educational materials. The results will benefit society by helping define appropriate engineering and public policy solutions to address the problem of existing hazardous building construction. Better understanding collapse of buildings during earthquake will also contribute to knowledge on vulnerability and toughening of infrastructure against effects of explosive and impact hazards. Mitigation strategies developed in this project also can inform strategies to mitigate for other natural hazards such as hurricanes. This project uses the NEES equipment sites at the University of California, Berkeley, the University of California, Los Angeles, the University of California, Santa Barbara, and the University of Minnesota. Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 Q4: A new small task was started in Q4. This was unexpected, but important to the project. The 237
SSI portion of the analysis encountered some questions that needed more earthquake data. We installed a temporary monitoring system on the "Mini-Me" test structure in early September to catch a few natural earthquakes. Earthquake activity has been low, so we will continue this monitoring into Q1 FY13 at the request of the PI.co-PI.
FY13 Q1: New monitoring phase started in Q4 FY12 continues through Q1 and into Q2. We have instrumentation on the test structure at GVDA to catch earthquakes. This is a continuation of the previous efforts; really a new phase but we already put the project at 100%. Not sure how to treat this, but it is additional NEES@UCLA effort in support of research needs.
FY13 Q2: Monitoring continued in Q2. Several earthquakes recorded along with daily shake tests. To be continued through Q3.
Project 10 – Taciroglu (UCLA) NSF, CMMI - 0755333
SGER: Field Testing of a Non-ductile Reinforced Concrete Building in Turkey Project Description This project brings together the technical expertise and advanced testing capabilities of a group of researchers from U.S.A. and Turkey to provide unique data on behavior and performance of older reinforced concrete buildings. This type of construction comprises the majority of residential, public service (i.e., schools, hospitals), and commercial buildings in the industrial heartland of Turkey; and there are a significant number of similarly vulnerable buildings within more active seismic regions in the USA (e.g., California, Washington, Utah, South Carolina, etc). In California, the vulnerable buildings are typically pre-1973 vintage. Therefore, the collaborative study will bring benefits to both countries. The project comprises the forced vibration and destructive testing of a full-scale building that exist in Turkey. Turkish partners will provide part of the testing equipment and the specimen structure; U.S. researchers will participate by providing technical expertise, personnel, and equipment for forced vibration testing. The project will leverage the technical resources of the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) equipment site at UCLA (nees@UCLA), Kandilli Observatory & Earthquake Research Institute (KOERI), and Bogazici University (BU).
238
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 Q4: Curation has raised some questions in September. We will need some UCLA effort to assist the PI in Q1 FY13.
Project 11 – Brandenberg (UCLA) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 1208170
NEESR: Levees and Earthquakes: Averting an Impending Disaster Project Description The purpose of this multi-tasks project is to verify the collapse analyses using shake table results. As part of the project, a full-scale three-story wood frame building having a soft story will be tested to collapse using the U.C. San Diego NEES facility. A nominally identical building, except that it has been rehabilitated using the ATC-71.1 inverted moment frame retrofit technique, will also be tested to collapse in Task 8 of the proposal.
239
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 Q4: Additional funding was received by the PI from NSF to do a new test on the levee model. This was put on a fast track by NEES@UCLA. Planning, construction, testing, and demobilization were successfully done in July-September.
Project 12 – Stewart (University of California, Davis) CALTRANS 59A0247
Performance Testing of Full-Scale Bridge Abutments Project Description This Caltrans-funded extension of the past UCLA-Caltrans foundation testing program will perform load testing to failure of full-scale bridge abutments. There will be two configurations: Experiment A) Straight abutment, 8' backfill; Experiment B) 30 degree skew, 5.5' backfill. This will be field testing at the Caltrans/UCLA field test site in Los Angeles.
240 Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 Q4: Not yet curated, may spill into FY13.
Project 13 – DeJong (University of California, Davis) NSF-NEESR, CMMI-0830182
NEESR-II: Biological Improvement of Sands for Liquefaction Prevention and Damage Mitigation Project Description This award is an outcome of the NSF 08-519 program solicitation ''George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) Research (NEESR)'' competition and includes the University of California at Davis (lead institution) and Lafayette University (subaward). The project will utilize the NEES equipment site at the University of California at Davis, which consists of a state-of-the-art geotechnical centrifuge (http://nees.ucdavis.edu).
Our project vision is to evaluate and establish the potential of a bio-mediated ground improvement process to increase soil resistance to liquefaction triggering and to reduce the consequences if liquefaction does occur in the surrounding soil. The bio-mediated ground improvement process that will be implemented utilizes the biological activity of naturally occurring microbes to create the environmental conditions necessary for calcite crystals to form and bind soil particles together (www.sil.ucdavis.edu). This process is akin to the natural geologic process of sands and produces similar results, namely sandstone-like material. A bio-mediated approach is attractive since it is a naturally occurring process that is simply being accelerated.
In this project we will examine how the treatment of liquefiable soils with the bio-mediated soil improvement method prevents/limits the occurrence of liquefaction and the performance of buildings supported on bio-improved soil. The UC Davis NEES centrifuge facility will be used to create scaled structures (buildings) supported on liquefiable soils. Zones of the soil directly beneath the building will be treated. The model will then be subjected to field (real) scale stress conditions by spinning the 241
centrifuge. During spinning the models will be subjected to earthquake shaking and the performance of the soil and the structure will be measured with displacement, pore pressure, and accelerometer transducers in addition to high-speed video.
This interdisciplinary research has the potential to transform the way in which earthquake-induced damage to civil infrastructure is mitigated. It also represents a significant contribution to the field of bio-soil engineering, a new emerging field at the cross-roads of civil engineering, microbiology, and geochemistry. In addition to providing direct insight into mitigating hazards associated with liquefiable soils, bio-mediated ground improvement processes have the potential in the future for dam and levee safety, tunneling, environmental barriers, groundwater protection, aquifer storage, energy storage, and geologic CO2 sequestration. The project will also be involved in the education and training of undergraduate and graduate students for this new interdisciplinary field. Data from this project will be made available through the NEES data repository (http://www.nees.org).
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 Q4: Project completed.
Project 14 – Taciroglu (UCLA) NSF-RAPID, CMMI-1331299
RAPID: Wind, Thermal, and Earthquake Monitoring of the Watts Towers Project Description This Rapid Research Grant (RAPID) award is to collect data of vibrations caused by wind gusts and earthquake tremors on Watts Towers representing multiple sculptures located in Los Angeles, California. Watts Towers are a collection of 17 artistic steel towers constructed by the artist Simon Rodia during 1921-1955. The towers vary in height with the tallest towers are 30 meters high. The art work is registered as a national Historic Landmark. The Los Angeles County Museum of Arts is 242 planning to conserve these art towers over a long term. Since the towers are complex and unique structures, the response and vibration characteristics of the structures to natural phenomena should be understood so that a long term repair and conservation strategy can be established. Wind and other natural environmental elements have caused deterioration to the facades of the structures. Several structures suffer from cracking of the mortar cover and loss of ornaments. Santa Anna winds, which occur during March and April, are one of the major elements that cause vibration of the structures. The project will install structural response recording instruments to collect data during the high wind period of March and April. Principle Investigator plans to use instruments from the UCLA NEES site. Accelerometers, strain gages, inclinometers, and anemometers will be installed at the site and on a tall sculpture to record wind speeds and structural responses. The instruments will also capture several moderate earthquakes.
The recorded data will be analyzed to assess structural characteristics and level of vibration of the structure. The results will permit Los Angeles County Museum of Arts conservators to develop refurbishing strategies for long-term life of the sculptures.
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY13 Q1: New project. NEES paperwork done in Q1.
FY13 Q2: New project, official start 2/1/2013. Install monitoring instrumentation on Watts Towers. Design new sensor mounts and adapt new sensors. Operate monitoring system to record data continuously. Download data & archive locally, give to PI weekly. Assist with data checking and interpretation.
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Site Readiness Narratives Site Safety Task FY 2012 – Q4 FY 2013 – Q1 FY 2013 – Q2 Last Revision of Safety Plan 7/31/2012 7/31/2012 7/31/2012 Reportable Injuries 0 0 0
PMCR Progress FY 2012:
*Note: The facility includes repair percentage in preventative maintenance. FY 2013:
For FY12, NEES@UCLA completed almost all activities associated with PMCR. For fiscal year 2013, the facility is on track with PMCR activities, and it is anticipated that the facility will complete all PMCR activities outlined in the annual work plan.
244 PMCR Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Maintenance Quick maintenance of our shaker was needed for the new Brandenberg project. After field work in August, much effort was needed to clean, lubricate, and repair the shaker and instrumentation (especially cables!).
Calibration NI DAQ calibration got deferred because of the new fast-track Brandenberg project. This will be done in Q1 FY13. We did re-calibrate some of the sensors before for the Brandenberg and Moehle field efforts in Q4.
Repair Instrumentation back from New Zealand was cleaned, checked, and repaired as-needed before returning to the instrument pool. Cables were rebuilt or replaced as-needed. The same was started after completion of the Brandenberg field work.
FY13 – Q1: Maintenance Clean & overhaul large shaker used in Brandenberg project. Check operation of all sensors. Assemble systems for El Centro project, check end-to-end channels. Also finish move from off-campus storage to on-campus.
Repair Cable repairs continue to repair damage from the Brandenberg project. One accelerometer repaired.
FY13 – Q2: Maintenance Check out all battery power systems. Service MCC truck.
Calibration In Q2, in-house calibrations done for all instrumentation not in the field. All National Instruments boards calibrated at NEES@UCSD. 80% of accelerometers calibrated. 50% of Kinemetrics data systems calibrated.
Repair In Q2, repair large eccentric mass shaker frame that was warped in the Brandenberg test. Done in- house with outside welding service. Also, dismantle linear shaker and take needed parts to Shore Western for construction of new shaker.
245
Network Requirements EOT
EOT Category Fiscal Year and Quarter FY12 / Q4 FY13 / Q1 FY13 / Q2 Total Number of NEES Events 3 1 2 Total Number of Participants 92 90 12 Total Number of Events Engaging Practitioners 2 0 1 Total Number of Engaged Practitioners 15 0 7
Capacity Building and Network Initiatives Progress FY 2012:
246 FY 2013:
Capacity Building and Network Initiative Activity Narrative Network Resource Sharing: FY 2012 – Q4: Our robust summer internship program (NEES REU plus UCLA High School) was very successfully completed in August. We also co-hosted a training demonstration event with NEES@UCSB in September.
Annualized Equipment Maintenance None
Supplemental Awards and Major Equipment Repair Shaker being ordered, delayed by end of year extension requirement. PO finally out in January, and construction started. Kickoff meeting at vendor in January & regular progress meetings. Delivery set for June, but will be shipped directly to GaTech.
247
248
4.10 University of California, Santa Barbara
The NEES facility at the University of California Santa Barbara consists of permanently instrumented geotechnical test sites designed to improve our understanding of the response of local surface geology during strong ground shaking. The instrumentation at these sites includes surface and borehole arrays of accelerometers and pore pressure transducers designed to record strong ground motions, excess pore pressure generation, and liquefaction that occurs during large earthquakes. An instrumented structure is also monitored to improve our understanding of soil foundation-structure interaction (SFSI) effects. In addition to active testing using mobile shakers, the Earth continues to provide her own experiments, with more than 200 M4.0+ earthquakes since NEES operations began in 2004. • The Wildlife Liquefaction Array (WLA) providing a test facility for active and passive measurement of soil response and soil failure under dynamic loading • The Garner Valley Downhole Array (GVDA) providing a simple site with a simple structure for active and passive study of SFSI and soil response
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University of California Santa Barbara - Permanently Instrumented Field Sites Annual Facility Snapshot Narrative FY 2013
Site Personnel
Top Row: Jamison Steidl, PI; Sandra Seale, Project Scientist and Outreach Coordinator; Aaron Martin, Computer Network Technician
Bottom Row: Cristina Wilson, Administrative Assistant, Robin Gee, Junior Project Specialist; Francesco Civilini, Graduate Student Assistant
250 Budget Summary Annual Work Plan Distribution Reported Distribution Work Breakdown Structure FY 2013 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2012 (Q1 and Q2) Shared-Use Research Support $48,307 $27,122 $27,122 - Site Readiness $287,849 $308,627 $308,627 $99,136 Network Requirements $126,467 $124,990 $124,990 $71,472 IT Community Activities - - - - Facility Enhancement Activities $14,733 $37,449 $37,449 $26,051 Network EOT $61,483 $20,806 $20,806 $18,825 Annualized Equipment Maintenance - - - - Network Resource Sharing - - - - Total $538,839 $518,994 $518,994 $215,484 *All values obtained from quarterly financial reports submitted by facilities. Actual values are reconciled by the business office.
Figure 47: Cumulative Planned and Reported Expenditures According to WBS for FY 2012
251
Figure 48: Cumulative Planned and Reported Expenditures According to WBS for Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 of FY 2013
Shared-Use Research Average Project Support Progress
All NEES facilities, as a part of their annual work plan, submit proposed project completion percentages for all supported projects during that fiscal year. Progress is reported quarterly and tracked by NEEScomm. The following figure represents the average reported progress for all supported projects compared to the target completion percentage as outlined in the annual work plan. A similar graph is shown for each project.
252 Using the percent progress for each project, equivalent projects are determined for each site. As an example, if a facility completed 50% of two projects and 25% of a third in a certain fiscal year, that facility has completed 1.25 equivalent projects.
Fiscal Year Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Planned Equivalent Number of 2012 0.04 0.36 0.49 0.55 0.58 Completed Projects 2013 0.0 0.0 - - 0.33
For fiscal year 2012, NEES@UCSB planned, according to their AWP, that they would have an average 99% project completion for all projects at the facility. The facility reached 98% project completion. For fiscal year 2013, NEES@UCSB anticipates an average 33% project compeltion. Based on historical performance, NEES@UCSB is on track to reach the target project completion.
Project 1 – Bielak (Carnegie Mellon University) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 0619078
NEESR-SG: High Fidelity site characterization by experimentation, field observation, and inversion- based modeling Project Description The main objective of this research is to develop the capability for estimating the geological structure and mechanical properties both of local sites and of complete basins, and to demonstrate this capability on the nees@UCSB site at Garner Valley. Specifically, this high-fidelity estimation will be based on integrating: (a) in-situ dynamic excitation using the NEES equipment at the University of Texas at Austin (nees@UTexas); (b) earthquake records from new strong-motion and broadband sensor networks; and (c) new inversion methods based on partial-differential-equation (PDE)-constrained optimization. This project represents an unparalleled opportunity to couple state-of-the-art field experimentation with state-of-the-art computational tools for the purpose of imaging the subsurface at resolutions and length scales until recently unattainable. Project Progress
253
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Some discussions took place regarding the data verification, quality, and metadata (sensor locations) for the processed stacked data from the March 2012 testing at GVDA which was delivered to NEES@UTexas to be integrated with their multi-channel DAQ data and uploaded to NEEShub. So far the raw experimental data has not been uploaded to project warehouse, but should be in Q1 of next fiscal year.
Project 2 – Zeghal (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 0830325
NEESR II: Advanced Site Monitoring and Effective Characterization of Site Nonlinear Dynamic Properties and Model Calibration Project Description Site liquefaction during earthquake excitations is often associated with significant permanent displacement and lateral spreading that lead to costly damage to civil systems of all types. However, real- time field measurements of permanent displacements have eluded researcher and practitioners until recently, and hindered the development of reliable tools to predict lateral spreading and failure. This project develops the capability to monitor the cyclic and permanent displacement of the WLA field site and use the associated measurements to characterize the in situ low and large strain dynamic properties for soil strata ranging from the ground surface to a depth of about 10 meters. A number of shape- acceleration arrays (SAA) have recently been installed permanently at the NEES@UCSB Wildlife liquefaction site to monitor low strain response as well as earthquake induced liquefaction, permanent deformation and lateral spreading. It is anticipated that an earthquake in the near future will induce large permanent deformation at this site. The installed arrays would then provide for the first time measurement of the time history of a sites lateral spreading profile.
Specifically, this project comprises the following tasks: (1) development and validation of optimal array configurations using centrifuge model tests and computational analyses, (2) installation of a number of shape-acceleration arrays within an optimal configuration at the NEES@UCSB Wildlife liquefaction site, (3) excitation of the site using the NEES@UTexas T-Rex vibrator, and (4) development of innovative data reduction and identification tools to estimate the 3-dimensional (small and large strain) dynamic properties and response mechanisms of the Wildlife site as well as other field sites that may be instrumented in the future. This project will have a broad impact on our capabilities to test in situ soil systems, evaluate their (low and large strain) mechanical properties and calibrate computational models of these systems, all while avoiding the issues of soil sample disturbance and limitation of small scale or sample testing. The outcome of the planned research will contribute to the development of more robust modeling procedures and predictive tools of soil systems to reduce losses associated with earthquakes.
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Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: A significant amount of effort went into processing Shape Array data from the T-Rex shakes at the WLA site in 2012. While the progress was very good, the data quality issues due to timing problems on the Shape Array data concentrators slowed down the process. This processed data still needs to be uploaded to the project warehouse along with the raw data, and verified by the PI. We anticipate this will happen in Q1 of FY2013.
Project 3 – Moehle (University of California Berkeley) NSF-NEESR, CMMI – 0618804
NEESR-GC: Mitigation of Collapse Risk in Vulnerable Concrete Buildings Project Description One of the greatest overall seismic risks in the United States is the risk of collapse of older concrete buildings in a major urban earthquake, yet there are no solutions to how to address this in a cost- effective manner. This multi-institution and multi-disciplinary project brings together engineers, educators and policy makers to assess the extent of the risk and develop cost-effective ways to prioritize addressing it.
A configurable 1/5-scale test structure has been constructed to represent a simple slab-on-grade system. This test structure will be tested in three different base/soil situations to evaluate a range of soil- structure systems. The three conditions are: 1) Fixed-base, on the strong floor at the UCLA structures laboratory; 2) Very soft soil, on a poured slab at the NEES@UCSB Wildlife Permanent Field Site; 3) Soft soil, on a poured slab at the NEES@UCSB Garner Valley Permanent Field Site. Testing will be done using shakers from NEES@UCLA and NEES@UTexas and instrumentation from both NEES@UCSB and NEES@UCLA. Data from linear and nonlinear testing will be used to develop a master SSI model that will be applied to the broader NEESR-GC Vulnerable Concrete Buildings project.
255
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: The mini-me structure was re-instrumented in Q4 by NEES@UCLA so that a doctoral student could collect more data from local earthquakes for use in research and thesis development. This was an unplanned experiment we view as an extension to the project. There was little effort on our part in making the facility and networking resources available to the UCLA team, and we saw no reason not to extend the project. There is no plan yet to remove the new equipment or the mini-me structure, but it does not interfere in any way with normal monitoring at the facility.
Project 4 – Yegian (Northeastern University) NSF-NEESR, CMMI-1134940
NEESR: INDUCED PARTIAL SATURATION (IPS) THROUGH TRANSPORT AND REACTIVITY FOR LIQUEFACTION MITIGATION Project Description Devastating effects of ground failure, due to liquefaction of water saturated sands, on the built environment has been widely observed during most moderate to large size earthquakes. There is an urgent need to develop a cost effective liquefaction prevention method that can be applied to new sites as well as sites with existing structures. Researchers at Northeastern University, the University of Texas at Austin, Boise State University, the University of California at Santa Barbara, the University at Buffalo and the USGS will collaborate to develop an innovative and practical field technique for liquefaction mitigation by inducing partial saturation (IPS) in otherwise fully saturated liquefiable sands. The goals of this research are twofold: 1) to conduct fundamental research exploring the feasibility of inducing partial saturation under field conditions, by injecting very low concentration of sodium percarbonate solution, and through transport and reactivity slowly generate oxygen gas bubbles in sands; and, 2) to demonstrate the effectiveness of IPS in preventing the occurrence of liquefaction. The research will take advantage of unique experimental and field facilities of NSF's Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) to acquire fundamental knowledge on the behavior of partially saturated sands and to 256 develop enabling technologies to verify the effectiveness of IPS as a liquefaction prevention method. The research program will achieve its goal by integrating small- and large-scale laboratory investigations, field tests and numerical simulation. NEES facilities to be utilized are the 1-g laminar box at NEES@Buffalo, the T-Rex shaker at Nees@UTexas and the wildlife field site at NEES@UCSB. Data from this project will be archived and made available to the public through the NEES Project Warehouse/data repository.
The outcome of this research will have world-wide impact on human safety and protection of property from earthquake hazards. Also, this research will enhance oxygen delivery systems used in bioremediation of contaminated ground. The research is collaboration between faculty and students in the fields of earthquake and geoenvironmental engineering. Such collaborations will benefit undergraduate and graduate students in science and engineering and promote interdisciplinary education and research. Educational tools using the research facility will be developed to heighten the public's awareness of earthquake risk and promote interest in science and engineering to underrepresented communities. This award is part of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP).
Project Progress
Activity Narrative None
Site Readiness Narratives
Site Safety Task FY 2012 – Q4 FY 2013 – Q1 FY 2013 – Q2 Last Revision of Safety Plan 5/8/2012 5/8/2012 5/8/2012 Reportable Injuries 0 0 0
257
PMCR Progress FY 2012:
*Note: No planned repair activities.
FY 2013:
For fiscal year 2012, NEES@UCSB had completed nearly all activities outlined in the annual work plan. For fiscal year 2013, NEES@UCSB on track to complete all planned activities associated with PMCR.
258 PMCR Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Maintenance Maintenance visits to both field sites, including generator maintenance at the Garner Valley site. Provided NEEScomm SiteOps and EOT personnel a tour of the Garner Valley site during one of the maintenance visits. Updated firmware on some data acquisition systems and field data processors.
Calibration Continued to perform "in-situ" calibration of sensors using local earthquakes. The Brawley Earthquake swarm occurred less that 10 km from the WLA site with two M5+ earthquakes, eight M4+ events, and hundreds of smaller event, all which provided an excellent opportunity for "in-situ" calibration and functionality testing. All sensors were operational during this swarm and this sequence of events provided the best data to date from the WLA site.
Repair Removed the data concentrators from the NEESR-RPI project at WLA as they failed sometime late Q3 or early Q4. Replaced power supply components at the WLA site that had failed most likely due to extended time at high temperature.
FY13 – Q1: Maintenance Site remote monitoring software updated and web-based interface developed to enable history tracking and logging of state of health and files system status at field site servers and data concentrators.
Calibration Routine insitu “Functional calibration” of sensors using local earthquakes took place during data quality control checks. One pore pressure transducer at WLA was discovered to have failed during Q1 and is planned for replacement in Q2. There were 168 events in the first quarter segmented out from the continuous data for the Wildlife Site and 146 events from the Garner Valley site.
Repair [The Garner Valley site had a failure of a 16-port Switch that took down data flow from about half of the data acquisition systems and some of the other network equipment in the hut. This equipment was offline and not recording for about 2 days, but there were no earthquakes that met our search criteria during this period, so no loss of event data. This switch had been in operation without failure for ~9 years. Traveled to the site with replacement switch and brought the site back online.
FY13 – Q2: Maintenance Both the Garner Valley and Wildlife sites were visited during the second quarter, with routine safety inspections, power systems checks, and data acquisition system checks performed. A failed pressure transducer that was discovered in the previous quarter was replaced at the Wildlife site. At the Garner Valley site, a Basalt 8-channel data logger capable of 2kHz sampling was installed to be used with the cross-hole array.
Calibration Routine insitu “Functional calibration” of sensors using local earthquakes took place during data quality
259 control checks and monthly data processing of the continuous data, segmenting out the 169 events from the Garner Valley Site and 113 events from the Wildlife site for this quarter. The water level transducer at the Wildlife site looks like it was beginning to fail in what we believe is leakage into the sensor electronics, and will be investigated further during the next site visit. At the Garner Valley site, the cross- hole source seems to have stopped functioning and will be investigated early next quarter.
Repair Two failures at the Garner Valley site during this quarter required unplanned repairs. The telepresence PTZ camera at the Garner Valley site locked up and was no longer controllable or sending good video/photo data. The camera was replaced with an older spare. In addition, an APC rackmount power distribution unit that controlled the remote shaker and function generator failed and was replaced.
Network Requirements EOT
EOT Category Fiscal Year and Quarter FY12 / Q4 FY13 / Q1 FY13 / Q2 Total Number of NEES Events 8 5 7 Total Number of Participants 21 351 1053 Total Number of Events Engaging Practitioners 1 2 0 Total Number of Engaged Practitioners 1 20 0
Capacity Building and Network Initiatives
Progress
FY 2012:
260 *No IT Community Activities Planned for FY12
FY 2013:
*No planned IT Community Activities planned during FY 2013.
For fiscal year 2012, NEES@UCSB completed 95% of all Capacity Building Activities. For FY13 the NEES@UCSB facility is on track to complete the planned CB activities.
Capacity Building and Network Initiative Activity Narrative Facility Enhancements: FY2012 – Q4: Completed an MOU with Greece to include the EPPO-ITSAK borehole array data into the NEES@UCSB data portal. Working with the NEES@UCSB staff, the summer interns completed research projects using the data from both the nightly Cross-hole hammer tests and the nightly shaker tests of the SFSI experimental structure. The data from these projects are currently on project warehouse, and will soon be moved into the public side once it's been curated.
FY2013 – Q1: [Q1] Significant development took place on the Data Dissemination Portal enhancements planned for this year. A completely new data portal was built, allowing for better incorporation of other providers geotechnical array data to be incorporated into the new portal. The new portal should be operational by Q2 and then new data will be integrated. Development of a COSMOS V0 format converter also took place to enable conversion of NEES@UCB and other providers data into this standard format used in the engineering community.
FY2013 – Q2: The new data portal was rolled out and presented to the user community during a NEES@UCSB webinar that took place in the second quarter. A MatLab import script and new ASCII format file providing a single file for each event was developed and integrated into the data portal. Additional search and discovery 261
capabilities were integrated into the data portal allowing users to search for data based on peak ground acceleration and view thumbnail views of event data without launching the waveform explorer.
IT Community Activities: FY2012 – Q4: Continued discussion with the databases group on the addition of the new experiments to project warehouse and the type of front end database that would be developed at Anne Christine and her group.
FY2013 – Q1: While no formal activities in the AWP, Python Scripting began in Q1 to automate the process of uploading data to project warehouse without needing the PEN tool. These new scripts will be provided to the NEES IT Managers during a WebEx meeting in Q2.
FY2013 – Q2: Python scripting of the data upload process to project warehouse was completed in Q2 and presented to the IT managers during a monthly WebEx. Detailed documentation of these scripting tools was added to the NEES@UCSB wiki pages.
Network EOT: FY2012 – Q4: Two oral and three poster presentations at the NEES annual meeting (See EOT Event Report worksheet). Presented the NEES Network and the NEES@UCSB facility at the 15WCEE meeting in Lisbon Portugal, and completed an MOU for data exchange with EPPO-ITSAK Borehole Array Network and NEES@UCSB.
FY2013 – Q1: Development of a web-based tele-operation module for the permanent SFSI shaker at Garner Valley took place this quarter. This new web-based interface will allow users to operate the shaker at Garner Valley and retrieve the data from the SFSI sensors in a zip file automatically right after the shaker has finished its excitation. At the same time a camera image of the shaker is provided along with real-time data traces from user selected channels. This new interface is being integrated into the undergraduate earthquake engineering course module. This module will be presented along with the data portal enhancements (capacity building) during a NEES/EERI webinar in Q2.
FY2012 – Q2: [The web-based tele-operation module for the SFSI shaker was integrated into the new NEES@UCSB website and presented to the user community during the NEES@UCSB webinar in the second quarter.
Network Resource Sharing: FY2012 – Q4: Worked with NEES@UCLA on a new sensor deployment to record earthquake motions on the "MiniMe" structure at Garner Valley. This is an additional unplanned monitoring experiment to assist with doctoral student research.
FY2013 – Q1: None
FY2013 – Q2: None
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Annualized Equipment Maintenance None
Supplemental Awards and Major Equipment Repair With the assistance of summer interns and student assistants, we developed a completely new web interface to the SFSI shaker system at the Garner Valley site. The new system allows a user to select which channels on the SFSI structure they want to view, run the shaker, and then download the data immediately after. This system will be demonstrated in the Fall UCLA experimental methods class and used again as a course assignment in the Spring UCLA Fundamentals of Earthquake Engineering class. Plans for the FY2013 EOT supplement include an advanced graduate course module using the SFSI shaker at Garner Valley.
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4.11 University of California, San Diego
A full-scale, two-story, fully-grouted, reinforced masonry shear wall system was tested on the NEES outdoor shake table at the Englekirk Structural Engineering Center of UCSD. This was the second and also the last structure to be tested on the shake table in a research project sponsored by NIST under an ARRA Measurement Science and Engineering Grant. The project aims to study the seismic performance of fully-grouted reinforced masonry shear-wall structures, and to develop improved design methodologies, detailing requirements, and analytical methods for the design and performance assessment of these structures. Current design methods and code requirements for reinforced masonry structures are not entirely rational and practical for low-rise buildings that have walls with many openings. The first structure tested on the table was a three-story wall system designed according to current ASCE/SEI 7 and MSJC provisions. The second structure has shear-critical wall elements and is designed with a displacement-based approach to circumvent the deficiencies of current codes for this kind of systems.
The shake-table tests have been made possible with support from the Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) program of NSF, which funds the operations and maintenance of the Large High-Performance Outdoor Shake Table at the UCSD NEES site.
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University of California San Diego–Large High Performance Outdoor Shake Table Annual Facility Snapshot Narrative FY 2013
Site Personnel
J Enrique Luco, PI Jose Restrepo, Co-PI Joel P Conte, Co-PI P Benson Shing, Co-PI Dan Radulescu, Operations Manager Maria Ibarra, Financial Coordinator
NEES@UCSD – Enrique Luco, Jose Restrepo, Joel Conte, P. Benson Shing, Dan Radulescu
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Budget Summary Annual Work Plan Distribution Reported Distribution Work Breakdown Structure FY 2013 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2012 (Q1 and Q2) Shared-Use Research Support $539,004 $534,092 $539,004 $292,769 Site Readiness $265,959 $275,283 $229,160 $134,305 Network Requirements $295,158 $267,077 $248,416 $107,813 IT Community Activities $14,946 $13,413 $20,439 $17,376 Facility Enhancement Activities - $3,590 $83,540 $66,752 Network EOT - $50,190 - - Annualized Equipment Maintenance - - - - Network Resource Sharing $7,280 $1,149 $7,280 - Total $1,122,347 $1,144,794 $1,127,839 $619,015 *All values obtained from quarterly financial reports submitted by facilities. Actual values are reconciled by the business office.
Figure 49: Cumulative Reported and Planned Expenditures According to WBS for FY 2012
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Figure 50: Cumulative Reported and Planned Expenditures According to WBS for Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 of FY 2013
Shared-Use Research Average Project Support Progress All NEES facilities, as a part of their annual work plan, submit proposed project completion percentages for all supported projects during that fiscal year. Progress is reported quarterly and tracked by NEEScomm. The following figure represents the average reported progress for all supported projects compared to the target completion percentage as outlined in the annual work plan. A similar graph is shown for each project.
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Using the percent progress for each project, equivalent projects are determined for each site. As an example, if a facility completed 50% of two projects and 25% of a third in a certain fiscal year, that facility has completed 1.25 equivalent projects.
Fiscal Year Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Planned Equivalent Number of 2012 0.2 0.45 0.65 1.7 2.65 Completed Projects 2013 1.01 1.8 - - 3.25
For FY12, NEES@UCSD planned, according to their AWP, that they would be 100% complete with all projects at the facility, on average. By the end of FY12 NEES@UCSD had reached a 68% average completion. Based on the average rate of project completion , for fiscal year 2013, it is anticipated that NEES@UCSD will meet the planned project completion of 83%.
Project 1 – Hutchinson (University of California San Diego) NSF-NEESR, CMMI-0936505
NEESR-CR: Full-Scale Structural and Nonstructural Building System Performance During Earthquakes Project Description To date, only a handful of full-scale building experiments have been conducted. Of these, only select experiments in Japan have focused on evaluating the response of nonstructural component and systems (NCSs) during earthquake shaking. This belies the fact that NCSs encompass more than 80% of the total investment in building construction and over the past three decades, the majority of earthquake- induced direct losses in buildings are directly attributed to NCS damage. To this end, a landmark test of a five story building built at full-scale and completely furnished with NCSs, including a functioning passenger elevator, partition walls, cladding and glazing systems, piping HVAC, ceiling, sprinklers, building components, as well as passive and active fire systems will be conducted. The NEES@UCSD and NEES@UCLA equipment will be combined to realize this unique opportunity and hence advance our understanding of the full-scale dynamic response and kinematic interaction of complex structural and non-structural components and systems. While most NCSs in these experiments will be designed to the state-of-the-art recommended seismic provisions; the project will also include non-seismic detailed designs widely used in low-seismic regions of the United States. Furthermore, the project will investigate the potential for protecting critical NCS systems using, for example, damping and/or isolation methods. A unique fire testing payload project has been developed to capitalize on the proposed building test program. This will involve conducting non-thermal and live fire testing to investigate post-earthquake fire and life safety performance of both structure and NCSs. Finally, data from this unique experiment will be used to compare with earthquake performance predictions using available commercial and research computational modeling platforms. This research is essential because even though dynamic response of building systems is fairly well understood, the response of NCSs, particularly their dynamic response and kinematic interaction with other components, remains largely unexplored.
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Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Project Completed in Q3.
Project 2 – Shing (University of California San Diego) NIST, 60NANB10D013 Performance Based Seismic Design of the Reinforced Masonry Structure Project Description The objective of this two-phase project is to produce experimental data to improve our understanding of the seismic performance of reinforced masonry shear-wall structures, and to develop improved design methodologies, detailing requirements, and analytical methods for the design and performance assessment of these structures.
To this end, two full-scale reinforced masonry shear-wall systems will be tested on the NEES/UCSD shaking table and individual wall segments will be tested quasi-statically elsewhere. The first shear wall system will be three-story high. The second shear wall system will be two-story high. Each of the wall specimens is considered to be representative of part of a larger structure representing a typical commercial or school building.
The research will be carried out as a joint effort of researchers from the University of California at San Diego (lead institution), the University of Texas at Austin, and Washington State University. The project is sponsored by NIST under the ARRA program.
270 Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: During Q4 the following phases were completed: (1) Preparation of the table platen for the project, (2) Table calibration for the Input motions provided by the PI, (3) Construction of the specimen, (4) Instrumentation of the specimen - 436 channels (including strain gages, relative displacement transducers and accelerometers), (5) Testing, (6) Instrumentation removal, (7) Demolition of the specimen and removal from site. The data and the videos were given to the PI for analysis and to be uploaded to NEEShub.
Project 3 – Cheng (University of California – San Diego) Caltrans/CalRecycle and CIWMB, TDA2010- 11
Retaining Wall Shake-Table Test and Design Using Tire Derived Aggregates as Backfill Project Description To promote a larger use of the waste tires in the nation, a recent application for scrap tires has been investigated as an alternative backfill material for retaining structures to replace the conventional granular backfill. Tire Derived Aggregates (TDA) used for backfill in this type of application will significantly reduce the number of waste tire disposed on in landfills and can result in a considerable cost savings in the construction of the retaining walls. The objective of this study is to perform a full- scale shake-table test of a standard Type I retaining wall backfilled with TDA instead of the conventional soil used in the previous tests conducted by the PI in 2009.
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Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: The table platen was prepared for this project. Assist UC Davis engineer with partial instrumentation of the specimen prior to installing inside the soil box.
FY13 – Q1: The project started in Oct 2012 and ended on Dec 21, 2012. The raw testing data and associated videos recorded during testing were given to Prof. Cheng (UC Davis PI). Project completed
Project 4 – Fox (University of California – San Diego) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 1041656
NEESR-CR: Earthquake Performance of Full-scale Reinforced Soil Walls Project Description To promote a larger use of the waste tires in the nation, a recent application for scrap tires has been investigated as an alternative backfill material for retaining structures to replace the conventional granular backfill. Tire Derived Aggregates (TDA) used for backfill in this type of application will significantly reduce the number of waste tire disposed on in landfills and can result in a considerable cost savings in the construction of the retaining walls. The objective of this study is to perform a full- scale shake-table test of a standard Type I retaining wall backfilled with TDA instead of the conventional soil used in the previous tests conducted by the PI in 2009.
272 Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY13 – Q1: The Input motions were checked and the site was prepared for the installation of the soil box. The table platen was painted. The first version of the instrumentation plan has been discussed with Prof. Fox (PI). The site was ready to start the construction of the Large Soil Confinement Box (LSCB) in January 2013. The site was closed for holiday between Dec 21, 2012 and Jan 2, 2013
FY13 – Q2: Finished the assembly of the Large Soil Box on the shake table. Finished the instrumentation of the Large Soil Box. Finished the instrumentation of the specimen. Finished Configuration of the Data Acquisition System (460 data channels and 12 video cameras) The testing was set to start on April 8, 2013.
Project 5 – Van de Lindt (University of Alabama) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 1041631
NEESR-CR: NEESsoft-Seismic Risk Reduction for Soft-Story, Wood frame Buildings Project Description The purpose of this multi-tasks project is to verify the collapse analyses using shake table results. As part of the project, a full-scale three-story wood frame building having a soft story will be tested to collapse using the U.C. San Diego NEES facility. A nominally identical building, except that it has been rehabilitated using the ATC-71.1 inverted moment frame retrofit technique, will also be tested to collapse in Task 8 of the proposal.
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Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY13 – Q2: This project has not yet started.
Project 6 – Fleischman (University of Arizona) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 1135033
NEESR: Inertial Force-Limiting Floor Anchorage Systems for Seismic-Resistant Building Structures Project Description The objective of the proposed research is to develop new knowledge of the dynamic behavior of building structures with an innovative floor anchorage system that reduces inertial forces while maintaining a centered floor. With this knowledge, the research will determine the appropriate design parameters for this system to produce optimal seismic performance for a variety of building geometries and properties. The ultimate goal of the research is to produce feasible prototype designs for one or more candidate structures that can be used in dissemination of the concept to the practice.
274 Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY13 – Q2: This project has not yet started.
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Site Readiness Narratives
Site Safety Task FY 2012 – Q4 FY 2012 – Q1 FY 2013 – Q2 Last Revision of Safety Plan 9/13/2010 9/13/2010 1/10/2013 Reportable Injuries 0 0 0
PMCR Progress FY 2012:
FY 2013
For FY12, NEES@UCSD completed 100% of the planned activities associated with PMCR. For fiscal year 2013 it is anticipated that the facility will complete all PMCR activities outlined in the annual work plan.
276 PMCR Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Maintenance
Performed weekly exercise of the servovalves. Helped MTS with the installation of the sensors and Remote Monitoring System for hydraulic power station. Clean the sliding plates weekly for protection of the hydraulic bearings. Helped MTS to remove and install new O-ring and gasket for the South- Middle vertical actuator. Painted the table platen and surrounding markers and safety lines.
Calibration Due to the additional time taken by the previous project, the sensors were not available for full calibration. However, all sensors have been checked using our portable Check unit to verify that the calibration factor of each sensor is in calibration tolerance window. Since the project which starts in December 2012 will take six months and minimum two months before instrumentation phase, we will use that period to perform the normal calibration of the DAQ system and sensors.
Repair We monitored the vertical actuators installed on the South side for oil leaks. This is because we have had two incidents of an O-ring failure and MTS is investigating the possible cause(s)."
FY13 – Q1: Maintenance We performed weekly site inspection and prepared the site for the raining season. Weekly exercise of the servovalves and cleaning of the sliding plates (yaw and vertical actuators) to preserve the seal gaskets of the hydraulic bearing system. Painted the table platen to prepare the table for the next project. We had MTS on site for checking the remote hydraulic monitoring system and adding more monitoring sensors related to the oil cooling system. We are in contact with MTS to find and solve the problem with the seal gaskets from the vertical actuators. Also we are in process of installing a new Controller software which will improve the OLI procedure.
Calibration Q1: Due to continuous site testing plan, all sensors and DAQ system were checked before and after each test. In Jan 2013 we started the calibration process for the DAQ systems. Based on sensors availability we will start the calibration when the sensors will become available.
Repair MTS is reviewing the design of the vertical actuators to determine the cause of the premature seal gasket failure. We continued monitoring the vertical actuators for oil leaks. After MTS makes a decision, we will work with them in scheduling the implementation of the repair solution.
FY13 – Q2: Maintenance We performed weekly site inspection and prepared the site for the raining season. Weekly exercise of the servovalves and cleaning of the sliding plates (yaw and vertical actuators) to preserve the seal gaskets of the hydraulic bearing system. Painted the table platen to prepare the table for the next project.
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We had MTS on site to change some sensors which are part of the remote monitoring of the hydraulic system and to check the nitrogen pressure on the accumulators. During first set of testing on the Large Soil Box (empty box configuration) we noticed an abnormal time lapse from the moment we started the MAIN pump until the oil pressure in accumulators start increasing at a normal rate. During this service we found few accumulators with a lower pressure (3000psi is the nominal value). MTS technician recharged all accumulators to nominal value.
Calibration As planned we finished DAQ channels calibration (768 channels). All sensors were used by the Large Soil Box test and they were checked only. The next project will use less sensors and we will start calibrating the sensors which are not being used."
Repair MTS finished the design revision of the vertical actuators. They provided new O-rings and seal gaskets. We will install them when the time permits. Until then we will continue to monitor each actuator and if we encounter an oil leak we will replace the existing O-rings and gaskets as needed. This operation is difficult (it implies removal of the actuator from under the table, replace the damaged components and re-install the actuator in its working position. This operation requires MTS assistance.
Network Requirements
EOT
EOT Category Fiscal Year and Quarter FY12 / Q4 FY13 / Q1 FY13 / Q1 Total Number of NEES Events 6 3 5 Total Number of Participants 189 180 44 Total Number of Events Engaging Practitioners 5 1 3 Total Number of Engaged Practitioners 102 45 26
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Capacity Building and Network Initiatives
Progress FY 2012:
FY 2013:
For FY12, NEES@UCSD completed 100% of the activities associated with Capacity Building and Network Initiatives. For fiscal year 2013, the facility is ahead of what is expected (50% of the fiscal year passed) and it is anticipated that the facility will complete all CBI and Network initiatives activities outline in the annual work plan.
Capacity Building and Network Initiative Activity Narrative Facility Enhancements: FY2012 – Q4: We received approval from NEEScomm to purchase two Multi-channel High Quality (24- bit) Data Acquisition portable systems and twelve uniaxial accelerometers. The system is intended to 279
monitor the specimen on the table and automatically trigger in case of an earthquake. Also the system will be used to record low level ambiental vibration used to determine the initial dynamic characteristics of the specimen and in between different testing levels.
We also received approval to contribute to the construction of the Large Soil Box.
FY2013 – Q1: We have no budget allocated for facility enhancement this year. We received the equipment purchased last year and started to prepare it for use in following projects.
FY2013 – Q2: Finished the design of the fixtures for the actuator in order to perform the Site acceptance test.
IT Community Activities: FY2012 – Q4: "Q2: A new IP based camera system (involving 48 cameras) was tested and has been installed on the current project. During the first phase of the testing performed for the current project (base isolation configuration) the new generation of multiple MJPEG streams was tested and performed as expected. The documentation will be prepared and distributed to NEES community as an alternative to the current FlexTPS system.
Q3: Both the Coaxial cable (analog solution) and IP based camera video system were tested during the Five-story building project. Both systems performed well. During the NEES Annual Meeting, Robert Beckley (IT Manager) presented our solution to all sites. The system was appreciated. During Q4 we will generate an implementation report and make the report available to all sites. One of the most important characteristic of the system is that provides synchronization of the video data with both the sensor data a controller data. The system provides also real-time access to the cameras installed on the specimen for selected parties. The university also upgraded our site from 1Gb to 10Gb connection."
FY2013 – Q1: The new tele-presence solution has been validated during Prof. Cheng project. The solution proved to be stable and reliable. We started the documentation of the actual system (software and hardware) which will be made available to NEES community.
FY 2013 – Q2: The Large Soil Box used the new tele-presence system successfully. The documentation is refined as we see new details in setup and use being necessary. We are collecting the additional information which is considered useful for the documentation as the new system is used for actual and upcoming projects.
Network EOT: FY2012 – Q4: None
FY2013 – Q1: The movies recorded during testing of the five story structure were edited. The team of the project (Prof. Hutchinson - PI AND Dr. Van Den Einde) are preparing the structure of proposed educational videos. The script for the first video is complete and a draft video has been produced.
FY2013 – Q2: The first two video modules have been created. Module 1 (Structural; General Overview): • Objective 1: To learn the basic phases of construction for a cast-in-place foundation • Objective 2: To learn the basic concepts in preparing and installing conventional rebar and high strength post-tensioning tendons for cast-in-place construction 280
• Objective 3: To learn the basic phases of construction for cast-in place columns, beams, shear walls and floors. • Objectives 4: To learn basic requirements for false work, system formwork, and safety scaffolding for cast-in-place construction. • Objective 6: To learn the basic concepts for preparing and installing stairs in a five-story building system
Module 2 (Structural; Foundation): • Objective 1: To learn the basic phases of construction for a cast-in-place foundation. • Objective 2: To learn the basic concepts in preparing and installing conventional rebar and high strength post-tensioning tendons for cast-in-place footing construction. • Objective 3: To learn basic requirements for false work, system formwork, and safety scaffolding for cast-in-place footing construction. • Objective 4: To learn the basic stages of using concrete in foundation formation.
Network Resource Sharing: FY2012 – Q4: None
FY2013 – Q1: The site is working with NEES@UCLA to share the NIST traceable reference calibration equipment. In January 2013, NEES@UCLA engineer will come to San Diego to calibrate their DAQ system.
FY2013 – Q2: NEES@UCLA completed the calibration of their data acquisition system using NEES@UCSD reference equipment and setup.
Annualized Equipment Maintenance None
Supplemental Awards and Major Equipment Repair We submitted three proposals. In January 2013 we received the approval letters for two proposals. The first supplement (Site Safety) has been approved. It will cover the design and implementation of a solution to reinforce the actual Safety towers. The design scope was presented to Prof. Uang for evaluation.
The second supplement (Site Productivity) has been approved. We purchased a bobcat, a vibratory roller and a conveyer which were already used for Large Soil Box project.
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4.12 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The Illinois MUST-SIM facility is an advanced large-scale component testing facility in which more fully- realistic boundary conditions can be represented and dense test data can be collected. The site has three re-locatable Loading and Boundary Condition Boxes (LBCBs) that can apply any combination of 3 displacements/forces and 3 rotations/moments on structural components, such as the bottom 3 stories of a mid-rise structure as shown above. The combination of these actions can be prescribed from an input file, an algorithmic function, or from a hybrid simulation in which other parts of the simulation are modeled computationally. The detailed response of the test structure is measured using LED-based coordinate measurement machines and photogrammetric method.
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University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign – MUST-SIM Testing Facility Annual Facility Snapshot Narrative FY 2013
Site Personnel
B.F. Spencer, PI Amr Elnashai, Co-PI Daniel Kuchma, Co-PI Timothy Prunkard, Technical Services Supervisor Darold Marrow, Instrument Maker Chester Riggin, Instrument Maker Charles Cook, Instrument Maker Jamar Brown, Lab Mechanic Donald Marrow, Lab Mechanic Michael Bletzinger, Information Technology Administrator Weslee Walton, Project Coordinator Michael Johnson, Operations Manager
NEES@Illinois (From Left to Right) – Bill Spencer, Amr Elnashai, Dan Kuchma, Michael Bletzinger, Michael Johnson, Weslee Walton
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Budget Summary Annual Work Plan Distribution Reported Distribution Work Breakdown Structure FY 2013 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2012 (Q1 and Q2) Shared-Use Research Support $437,031 $445,701 $511,771 $237,289 Site Readiness $308,346 $215,293 $338,580 $56,998 Network Requirements $202,477 $248,409 $60,310 $81,401 IT Community Activities $12,900 $10,674 $2,955 $8,559 Facility Enhancement Activities - - - - Network EOT $13,375 $11,007 $8,509 $4,174 Annualized Equipment Maintenance - - - - Network Resource Sharing $1,486 $2,843 - - Total $975,615 $933,927 $922,125 $388,421 *All values obtained from quarterly financial reports submitted by facilities. Actual values are reconciled by the business office.
Figure 51: Cumulative Reported and Planned Expenditures According to WBS for FY 2012
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Figure 52: Cumulative Reported and Planned Expenditures According to WBS for Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 of FY 2013
Shared-Use Research
Average Project Support Progress
All NEES facilities, as a part of their annual work plan, submit proposed project completion percentages for all supported projects during that fiscal year. Progress is reported quarterly and tracked by NEEScomm. The following figure represents the average reported progress for all supported projects compared to the target completion percentage as outlined in the annual work plan. A similar graph is shown for each project.
286 Using the percent progress for each project, equivalent projects are determined for each site. As an example, if a facility completed 50% of two projects and 25% of a third in a certain fiscal year, that facility has completed 1.25 equivalent projects.
Fiscal Year Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Planned Equivalent Number of 2012 0.2 0.46 0.69 0.94 1.17 Completed Projects 2013 0.19 0.47 - - 2.07
For FY12, NEES@Illinois planned, according to their AWP, that they would have an average of 78% completion of all projects at the facility. By the end of FY12 NEES@Illinois had reached a 75% average completion. For FY13 NEES@Illinois has planned to have a 84% project completion percentage by the end of the fiscal year, and NEES@Illinois has completed 52% through Q2. Based on the current rate of completeion, it is anticipated that they will be close to meeting their target for FY13.
Project 1 – Lowes (University of Washington) NEES-NEESR, CMMI - 0421577
NEESR-SG: Seismic Behavior, Analysis and Design of Complex Wall Systems Project Description The objective of this phase of the project is the development of high-resolution data characterizing the response of complex wall systems under representative earthquake loading. The originally proposed test program comprised testing of nine 2/3-scale models of the bottom three stories of walls from mid- rise (12-15 story) buildings. Testing was to be accomplished under pseudo-static, mixed-mode control with uni- and bi-directional lateral loads and moments as well as constant vertical load to be applied at the top of the wall specimens using multiple LBCBs and uni-directional lateral load to be applied at two points up the height of the wall using ancillary actuators. Foundation and soil flexibility were to be simulated in the laboratory by adding flexibility at the base of the wall.
Project Progress
287
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: An uncontrolled movement of the Y-actuator in LBCB #1 halted the testing of C-Wall #7. The manufacturer was contacted and a technician sent to the site, upon inspection, a faulty LDT inside the actuator proved to be the cause. A replacement was ordered and installed. As a result, the LBCB was taken off the wall for repairs. The repairs were completed by Aug 24th. NEEScomm was notified of this and the resultant delay to the testing schedule. After repairs were completed the LBCBs needed to be recalibrated, and instrumentation put back. The testing has re-commenced and is ongoing as of Sep 30, and scheduled to complete in October.
FY13 – Q1: C-wall #7 testing was completed in October. C-wall #8 was moved into position. Krypton alignment was conducted between testing phases of Hybrid Masonry due to the utilization of both Krypton cameras by the project. C-wall #8 was post-tensioned to the strong floor and work began on instrumentation.
FY13 – Q2: All testing on C-wall #8 has been completed. All instrumentation has been removed. The specimen is waiting shop time for disposal. This is not impacting the schedule as shop time is being spent on the steel plate shear walls
Project 2 – Abrams (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) NSF, CMMI - 0936464
NEESR-CR: Hybrid Masonry Seismic Structural Systems Project Description Seven wireless shape acceleration arrays (WSAA) are installed permanently at the NEES Wildlife Refuge site managed by nees@UCSB. The site will be excited using the T-Rex at the University of Texas at Austin. During these T-Rex excitations, the site response will be recorded using the WSAAs and the sensors currently existing at the site. Liquefaction sensors developed at nees@UTexas may also be used to monitor pore water pressure during and after the shaking. SASW test will be conducted in the array to verify the shear wave velocity before and after the shaking. This is a two years project. Tests planned for summer 2011 will be postponed to Q1 FY12 to share shipping cost of Project #1. Project Progress
288
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: The fabrication of the specimen has been completed. However, there was a set back during the installation of a masonry panel. A panel broke under its own weight while being lifted into place. Masons were brought in to fix the panel and it was successfully installed and fabrication completed. The specimen was moved in front of LBCB #3 and a Krypton alignment conducted. Installation of the adapter plate will commence once active testing for C-Wall #7 has completed. This poses a safety risk for personnel and equipment below the area and will only be done after all equipment and personnel have been cleared from under/around. Instrumentation and testing will begin forthwith.
F13 – Q1: Phases 1 & 2 of the first Hybrid Masonry wall were completed. The research team determined the need to patch the concrete base cap of the specimen after upheave occurred during the previous phases before the start of Phase 3 testing. The repair was completed prior to Christmas holiday and Phase 3 will complete after the holidays.
F12 – Q2: Phase 3 testing was completed. The Phase 3 wall was removed and the Phase 4 wall installed. Instrumentation has been completed and pre-testing has commenced. Phase 4 testing will be completed in the start of Q3.
Project 3 – Berman (University of Washington) NSF-NEESR, CMMI-0830294
NEESR-SG: Smart and Resilient Steel Walls for Reducing Earthquake Impacts Project Description The project seeks to develop a resilient steel shear wall system while also filling critical knowledge gaps regarding steel plate shear wall behavior that are currently impeding widespread implementation of these robust and ductile systems.
Project Progress
289
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: The steel frames have been delivered to the site, and adapter plates connected. Welding of the steel infill panels will begin forthwith. Testing by the project team on a rubber small scale specimen to test loading parameters has begun. A steel small scale specimen is ready for use by the project team.
FY13 – Q1: The first two large scale specimen’s infill panels were welded in and the specimens are completely fabricated and ready for instrumentation to begin. The team completed small scale rubber testing and has analyzed their results in preparation for the small scale steel specimen. The project team will start instrumenting both the small scale and large scale specimens in the New Year.
FY13 – Q2: The first of the two large scale specimens have been instrumented and assembled. The small scale steel specimen is installed in the small scale facility and ready for testing. The project team is anticipated to test in the first part of Q3. Work is ongoing on the bracing frame that is needed for the large scale specimens.
Project 4 – Zhao (University of Wisconsin Milwaukee) NSF, CMMI – 0724097
NEESR-II: Behavior and Design of Cast-in-Place Anchors under Simulated Seismic Loading Project Description This project will investigate the fundamental behavior of headed anchors/studs under simulated seismic loading and verify and improve the anchor connection details commonly seen in practice.
290 Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY11 – Q4: This payload project awaits the 3-pier simulation (CABER) project and is expected to occur in December 2011.
Project 5 – Sasani (Northeastern University) NSF –NEESR, CMMI - 1135005
NEESR: Near Collapse Performance of Existing Reinforced Concrete Frame Buildings Project Description Three large-scale reinforced concrete frame columns will be tested using hybrid testing methodology to connect the specimens analytically. A total of 4 tests of 3 columns each will be tested, for a total of 12 specimens.
Project Progress
291
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: The Anchors test was successfully completed in two parts. The anchors failed earlier than expected by the project team, and as a result the wall had not reached failure at that point. Upon discussion with the project team, the site agreed to test the wall to failure to collect data the project team thought would be valuable. All testing was completed by Aug 6th.
Project 6 – Wallace (UCLA) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 1208192
NEESR: Performance of Conventional and Innovative Special Structural Walls Project Description The proposed project will explore design and performance limits for structural walls, considering both conventional wall construction practices and innovative construction practices. A principal finding of recent earthquakes and tests is that wall performance is limited by stability and ductility capacity of the flexural compression zone. For conventional walls, we will establish, through tests and analyses, the minimum requirements for wall thickness and confinement reinforcement. Recognizing conflicts between these minimum seismic performance requirements and programmatic requirements for modern buildings, we also will explore use of innovative designs to achieve target performance through use of innovative materials and wall configurations. Tests will be designed to acquire knowledge, improve construction practices. The proposed project will explore design and performance limits for structural walls, considering both conventional wall construction practices and innovative construction practices. A principal finding of recent earthquakes and tests is that wall performance is limited by stability and ductility capacity of the flexural compression zone. For conventional walls, we will establish, through tests and analyses, the minimum requirements for wall thickness and confinement reinforcement. Recognizing conflicts between these minimum seismic performance requirements and programmatic requirements for modern buildings, we also will explore use of innovative designs to achieve target performance through use of innovative materials and wall configurations. Tests will be designed to acquire knowledge, improve construction practices, and advance simulation tools.
Project Progress
292 Activity Narrative FY13 - Q1: Collaboration efforts with the project team have resulted in a new approach to testing the proposed specimens. Work will now occur in the two box LBCB configuration. The project team is completing preliminary tests at their site and will finalize the proposed specimens to be tested at Illinois. The site is currently working on a preliminary design for the adapter connections on the two box LBCB configuration.
FY13 – Q2: The project team is still conducting testing at their site. Illinois is waiting on finalized specimen designs. The design for an adapter connection utilizing the two boxes LBCB has been finalized, anticipated delivery of the adapter to be prior to any need for testing. The project team has proposed changing the scope of their testing and this plan is currently under review by NEEScomm. Project 7 – Rix (Georgia Tech) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 0530478
NEESR-GC: Seismic Risk Mitigation for Port Systems Project Description Earthquakes pose a severe threat to the nation's seaports, which are critical assets in this era of global trade. The seismic risk issues ports face are unique due to the nature of their infrastructure, long-range planning horizon, diversity of stakeholders, and the roles of port authorities. This Grand Challenge project integrates engineering, logistics, risk analysis, and decision sciences within a seismic risk reduction framework that uses the performance of the port system rather than its individual components as the basis for seismic risk mitigation decisions. This systems-level approach is essential for estimating the full scope of direct and indirect losses following an earthquake. The NEES program enables a novel, integrated experimental and numerical simulation approach to advance understanding of the complex soil-foundation-structure systems that are typical of ports to develop geotechnical and structural mitigation alternatives targeted at all parts of the soil-foundation-structure system. The research program examines two innovative soil improvement techniques that are well suited to port facilities and evaluates their performance using the NEES@UTexas mobile shaker and the NEES@UCDavis centrifuge. The strength and ductility of piles and their connections to the overlying deck play a vital role in the seismic performance of pile-supported wharves. Improved pile configurations and pile-deck connections will be developed using full-scale tests at NEES@UIUC. Emphasis will be placed on techniques that are "repair-friendly" and can quickly and inexpensively be returned to service following an earthquake. Tests will be performed at NEES@Buffalo to investigate innovative bracing systems to mitigate damage to cranes from large ground displacements due to liquefaction. These tests exploit the full potential of the NEES program by using hybrid numerical and experimental simulation. The experimental studies on these soil-foundation-structure systems will be used to develop and calibrate numerical models. An important contribution is the development of soil- pile and pile-deck dynamic macroelements that will fill the existing gap between simplified solutions and computationally intensive numerical solutions for soil-structure interaction problems. Numerical simulations will be used to develop fragility relationships for the integrated soil-foundation-structure system that lead directly to the operational capacity of the wharf following an earthquake and facilitate the subsequent determination of repair requirements for the damaged system. Fragility relationships will be developed that reflect the performance of treated soils, improved pile-deck connections, and retrofitted cranes so that the effects of these mitigation alternatives on the operational capacity and repair requirements can be discerned.
Understanding system-level impacts of risk mitigation strategies on the functionality of a port is a crucial component of the seismic risk reduction framework. Advanced meta-heuristics for real-time operations 293 optimization given component disruptions will be developed to provide decision support to stakeholders. Parametric approximation models of port system performance measures that can be incorporated directly into an optimization-based risk mitigation framework to inform decision makers will also be developed. Application of formal research on stakeholder participation and behavioral decision making to risk mitigation at ports has been extremely limited to date. The nature of seismic risk in ports and port authorities and operations make them fertile ground for the social and decision sciences research proposed in this project. The project furthers value-focused decision research by integrating it with research on how stakeholders and experts perceive and understand seismic hazards and risks. In doing so, the project will provide new insights on the relative roles of mental models of risks, values, and institutional affiliations in judgment and decision making about seismic and other risks.
The broader impacts of this project include the application of the real-time decision support models to minimize the impact of an act of terrorism at a U.S. port. Ports are thought to be one of the most vulnerable components of the nation's transportation system. Like natural hazards, acts of terrorism reduce the throughput capacity of the port by damaging some or all of a port's facilities. In this respect, the development of these decision support models that optimize throughput capacity during periods of disruption can contribute to increased homeland security. The education, outreach, and training program promotes education at several levels and addresses the dearth of under-represented students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. A collaborative HBCU-REU program will increase the number of under-represented students in the STEM areas that pursue advanced degrees; Minority Postdoctoral Fellowships will help bridge the link from graduate school to academia; and an Industrial Fellowship Program will aid in technology transfer to practicing engineers. These programs form a continuum from undergraduate through professional education and will make a significant impact on creating a diverse workforce in the STEM areas.
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 Q4 - No updates received.
294 Project 8 – Sanders (University of Nevada, Reno) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 0530737 NEESR-SG: Seismic Simulation and Design of Bridge Columns under Combined Actions, and Implications on System Response Project Description Bridge columns are subjected to combinations of actions and deformations, caused by spatially-complex earthquake ground motions, features of structural configurations and the interaction between input and response characteristics. Combined actions/loadings can have significant effects on the force and deformation capacity of reinforced concrete columns, resulting in unexpected large deformations and extensive damage that in turn influences the performance of bridges as vital components of transportation systems. These effects should be considered in earthquake analysis and design of bridges so that significant earthquake damage and severe disruption of transportation systems can be reduced. The objectives of the project are to develop a fundamental knowledge of the impact of combined actions on column performance and system response and to establish analysis and design procedures that include the impact at both the component and system levels. The objectives will be realized by integrating analytical and experimental research where physical tests are driven by analyses and simulations that examine the system response of various bridge types under different loading conditions. The analytical models are calibrated by experimental data and then extended to system response.
The experimental program includes quasi-static testing of twenty-four large columns (fourteen will be funded by NEES) providing fundamental behavior including the impact of torsional moments at University of Missouri, Rolla (UMR), pseudo-dynamic testing of three large and four small scale columns with variable axial load, within a bridge system simulation, at the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign (UIUC), real-time dynamic testing of eight large scale columns with bidirectional, torsional and variable axial load inputs at University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), four tests provided by the University of Mexico (UNAM), plus an integrated experiment with three columns linked through simulation, conducted at UIUC by UMR. Fragility analysis will be undertaken, leading to the derivation of probabilistically-based fragility relationships for bridges subjected to combined action. Simplified analysis and design tools will be developed as well as the necessary code language to change the existing practice. Design and analysis methods will be derived that will affect the earthquake design practice in the US and internationally. Coordination of an integrated test program has already begun between the US and Japanese researchers. Analysis components will be done at UCLA, UIUC, UMR and UNR.
An integrated education, training and outreach program, led by Washington University, will span from 4th graders to practicing engineers. Modules will be developed for teachers and professors that can be inserted in their courses. Modules will be used by the research team in summer camps, visits to local elementary, middle and high schools, undergraduate and graduate courses and in continuing education courses. Specific programs are targeted towards underrepresented groups. To achieve its objectives, the project will utilize the NEESit cyber-infrastructure, state-of-the-art instrumentation and high-speed data acquisition systems, the NEES equipment sites at UNR and UIUC and the non-NEES site at UMR, which has committed to joining NEESgrid.
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Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 Q4 – Project completed.
Project 9 – Mo (University of Houston) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 0724190
NEESR Payload: Damage Detection of Reinforced Concrete Columns Subjected to Combined Actions Project Description This award is an outcome of the National Science Foundation 07-506 program solicitation entitled "George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) Research." This project is a payload project to National Science Foundation award 0530737 entitled "NEESR SG: Seismic Simulation and Design of Bridge Columns under Combined Actions, and Implications on System Response." This project will utilize the NEES equipment sites located at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University of Nevada, Reno, as well as the structural laboratory at the University of Missouri, Rolla. The two major objectives of this payload project are (1) to verify smart aggregate technology, which has been developed by the project investigators, for damage detection of reinforced concrete columns under dynamic, pseudo-dynamic, and reverse-cyclic loading conditions, and (2) to quantitatively study damage on the reinforced columns under these three different loading conditions by correlating the smart aggregate based damage index and damage matrix with results from conventional methods such as visual inspection and measurements from strain gauges. A smart aggregate consists of a piezoelectric sensor/actuator encased in a small protective cylinder of concrete. The piezoceramic based smart aggregates are multi-functional and can perform damage detection with the help of a developed damage index and a damage index matrix. This approach has been verified to date by experiments under static loading conditions only. To further validate the functionalities of smart aggregates for damage detection, it is important to conduct experiments under different loading conditions, such as dynamic, pseudo-dynamic, and reverse-cyclic loadings. These smart aggregates can be easily integrated into the reinforced columns constructed for testing under National Science Foundation award CMMI-0530737.
Outcomes of this research will be used to develop elementary and high school, undergraduate, and 296 graduate level educational modules about the use of smart materials as sensors. Results from this research will impact implementation strategies for innovative materials in civil engineering projects. Data from this project will be made available through the NEES data repository (http://www.nees.org).
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 Q3/Q4 - The payload project to the CABER project was completed. The team from Houston flew up in advance of testing the CABER piers set up their instruments. They collected readings during the testing. Completed Q3.
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Site Readiness Narratives
Site Safety Task FY 2012 – Q4 FY 2013 – Q1 FY 2013 – Q2 Last Revision of Safety Plan April 2012 April 2012 April 2012 Reportable Injuries 0 0 0
PMCR Progress FY 2012:
FY 2013:
For FY12, NEES@Illinois completed all activities associated with PMCR. For fiscal year 2013, the facility is, on track with PMCR activities, and it is anticipated that the facility will complete all PMCR activities outlined in the annual work plan.
298 PMCR Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Maintenance Inspection of Large-Scale LBCB's for hydraulic leaks and other fatigue.
Calibration The large scale LBCBs #1 & #2 were re-calibrated for C-Wall testing. The large scale LBCB #3 was calibrated for Hybrid Masonry.
Repair There were no planned repairs in Q3, however all systems were functional as required by project tests.
FY13 – Q1: Maintenance Inspection of Large-Scale LBCB's for hydraulic leaks and other fatigue.
Calibration The large scale LBCBs #1 & #2 were re-calibrated for C-Wall testing. The large scale LBCB #3 was calibrated for Hybrid Masonry.
Repair There were no planned repairs, and all systems were functional as required by project tests.
FY13 – Q2: Maintenance Inspection of Large-Scale LBCB's for hydraulic leaks and other fatigue.
Calibration The large scale LBCBs #1 & #2 were re-calibrated for C-Wall testing. The large scale LBCB #3 was calibrated for Hybrid Masonry.
Repair There were no planned repairs, and all systems were functional as required by project tests.
Network Requirements EOT
EOT Category Fiscal Year and Quarter FY12 / Q4 FY13 / Q1 FY13 / Q2 Total Number of NEES Events 3 3 2 Total Number of Participants 129 28 826 Total Number of Events Engaging Practitioners 2 0 1 Total Number of Engaged Practitioners 47 0 25
299
Capacity Building and Network Initiatives Progress FY 2012:
There were no Network Resource Sharing activities planned
FY 2013:
In FY12, NEES@Illinois completed 100% of its planned activities. In FY13, they are on track to finish the year at 100% of the planned activities in their annual work plan.
Capacity Building and Network Initiative Activity Narrative Facility Enhancements: FY2012 – Q4: The hydraulic line upgrade was completed and the hydraulic oil was replaced during late August.
FY2013 – Q1: None
300 FY2013 – Q2: None
IT Community Activities: FY2012 – Q4: None
FY2013 – Q1: Participated in the monthly IT meetings, wrote bug reports and wishes for Pen and tested alpha version.
FY2013 – Q2: Participated in the monthly IT meetings, wrote bug reports and wishes for Pen and tested alpha version.
Network EOT: FY2012 – Q4: The site has been using the MYOE code developed by UC Santa Barbara in our local MYOE display. The site completed the summer REU program hosting 3 students (2 under-represented individuals).
FY2013 – Q1: Participated in the monthly EOT meetings. Completed APD for tours. Participated in REU meetings and program.
FY2013 – Q2: Participated in the monthly EOT meetings. Completed APD for tours. Participated in REU meetings and program.
Network Resource Sharing: FY2012 – Q4: None
FY2013 – Q1: The site has participated in meetings with NEEScomm.
FY2013 – Q2: The site has participated in meetings with NEEScomm.
Annualized Equipment Maintenance None
Supplemental Awards and Major Equipment Repair None
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302
4.13 University of Minnesota
Integrated with advanced six degrees-of-freedom control technology, the MAST System can twist, compress or stretch test specimens. Its aim is to improve how buildings, bridges and other man-made structures withstand the impact of earthquakes, hurricanes or even deliberate attacks. The MAST system is capable of applying up to 1.32 million pounds of vertical force and nearly 900,000 pounds of horizontal force. Structures up to 28.75 feet (8.7 m) in height and 20x20 feet (6.1x6.1 m) in plan can be tested at the MAST Laboratory.
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University of Minnesota – MAST – Large Scale Facility Annual Facility Snapshot Narrative FY 2013
Site Personnel
Carol Shield, PI Doug Ernie, Co-PI Catherine French, Co-PI Paul Bergson, Site Operations Manager Rachel Gaulke, Project Engineer Mary Vancura, Research Fellow/Project Manager Michael Boldischar, Research Fellow/IT Manager Samantha Thomas, System Administrator
NEES@UMinn (From Top Left to Bottom Right) – Carol Shield, Doug Ernie, Catherine French, Paul Bergson, Rachel Gaulke, Mary Vancura, Michael Boldischar, Samantha Thomas
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Budget Summary
Annual Work Plan Distribution Reported Distribution
FY 2013 Work Breakdown Structure FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2012 (Q1 & Q2) Shared-Use Research $263,563.00 $296,294.00 $267,386.00 $177,076.00 Support Site Readiness 491,383.00 457,166.00 439,161.00 125,547.00 Network Requirements 151,628.00 165,506.00 137,020.00 20,966.00 IT Community Activities 86,521.00 58,902.00 13,996.00 24,014.00 Facility Enhancement 21,149.00 21,338.00 11,882.00 8,939.00 Activities Network EOT 7,517.00 0.00 2,295.00 0.00 Annualized Equipment 48,000.00 64,000.00 23,520.00 0.00 Maintenance
Network Resource Sharing 2,118.00 3,559.00 2,162.00 0.00 Total $1,071,879.00 $1,066,765.00 $895,260.00 $358,704.00 *All values obtained from quarterly financial reports submitted by facilities. Actual values are reconciled by the business office.
Figure 53: Cumulative Reported and Planned Expenditures According to WBS for FY 2012
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Figure 54: Cumulative Reported and Planned Expenditures According to WBS for Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 of FY 2013
Shared-Use Research
Average Project Support Progress All NEES facilities, as a part of their annual work plan, submit proposed project completion percentages for all supported projects during that fiscal year. Progress is reported quarterly and tracked by NEEScomm. The following figure represents the average reported progress for all supported projects compared to the target completion percentage as outlined in the annual work plan. A similar graph is shown for each project.
306 Using the percent progress for each project, equivalent projects are determined for each site. As an example, if a facility completed 50% of two projects and 25% of a third in a certain fiscal year, that facility has completed 1.25 equivalent projects.
Fiscal Year Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Planned
Equivalent Number of Completed Projects 2012 .77 1.15 1.48 1.85 2.27
2013 .12 0.29 - - 0.98
For FY12, NEES@Minnesota planned, according to their AWP, that they would have an average of 62% completion of all projects at the facility. By the end of FY12, NEES@Minnesota had reached a 55%. For FY13 NEES@Minnesota has planned to have a 56% project completion percentage by the end of the fiscal year. According to their average rate of completion, it is anticipated that they will meet their target.
Project 1 – HASSAN (North Carolina State University) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 0936547 NEESR-CR: An Innovative Seismic Performance Enhancement Technique for Steel Building Beam- Column Connections Project Description 1. OBJECTIVES AND MOTIVATION: An innovative technique for enhancing seismic performance of steel building beam-column connections will be experimentally validated using the Minnesota NEES site. The proposed seismic enhancement technique involves heat treating sections of beam flanges by exposing these sections to a very high temperature for certain amount of time before slow air cooling. Such a heat treatment process reduces the strength of steel in the heat treated areas of the flange. Consequently, under seismic loading plastic hinge develops at the heat treated beam section (HBS). A connection enhanced by the proposed technique will have the advantages of the reduced beam section (RBS) connection, but the former will have better energy dissipation than the latter connection. In RBS connections, “weakening” of the beam flanges induces plastic hinge away from the welds. In HBS connections, plastic hinge develops at the heat treated section because of the reduced strength of steel. Moreover, as the beam flange remains intact and inelastic modulus of steel is not altered at the HBS, the lateral and torsional buckling resistances of the HBS connection will be higher than those of the RBS connection. Consequently, the HBS connection will dissipate a larger amount of energy with a minimum loss of strength or stiffness compare to the RBS connection. Through a pilot study at NC State University (NCSU), the proposed seismic performance enhancement technique is validated analytically. This project will validate the technique by conducting full-scale connection experiments. Among the three moment resisting connections prequalified for special and intermediate moment frames by the AISC 358 standards, RBS is the most popular because of its seismic performance and cost effectiveness. The proposed HBS connection is anticipated to be more seismically robust and economical than the RBS connection.
2. RESEARCH METHODS AND INTELLECTUAL MERIT: The proposed research will conduct eight seismic experiments on beam-column exterior connections to determine the degree of their seismic performance enhancement by the novel technique. Connection details of welded unreinforced flange, welded and bolted web (WUF-W and WUF-B), and four-bolt unstiffened extended end plate (BUEEP) will be considered. Specimen dimensions will be chosen such that the seismic performance of HBS
307 connections and that of RBS connections from the literature can be compared. Strains, displacements and rotations at various locations will be recorded for investigating both the local and global failure modes of HBS connections. A set of monotonic and cyclic material experiments on heat treated beam flange coupons will be conducted. The material coupons will be heat treated by exposing to various peak temperatures in the range of 1000-1200oC and several hold times at each peak temperature. This set of material data will be analyzed to quantify the influence of heat treatment parameters (peak temperature and hold time) on the reduction of strength and to determine the constitutive model parameters. A series of finite element analyses of HBS connections will be performed to determine the optimum heat treatment parameters, peak temperature and hold time, and length of the heat treated flange section and its offset from column flange. Exterior beam-column connections with and without HBS will be built and tested at the NEES site to demonstrate seismic performance enhancement of the modified connections. Pre and post-test analysis will be performed for each test. Experimental and analytical results will be used to refine the technique and to develop a methodology for practical application of the technique.
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: During Q3, no work occurred on this project. We consider the MAST component of this project complete.
Project 2 – Fry (Texas A&M) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 0936599 NEESR-CR: Multi-Scale, Mechanistic Fracture Prediction and Optimal Panel Zone Participation in Steel Moment Frame Buildings Project Description Steel moment frames constitute a major class of structure used for seismic resistant building construction throughout the US and in many other parts of the world. Although steel moment frames
308 were studied extensively following the 1994 Northridge earthquake, one critical technical issue remains unsolved: the role of the panel zone. Recent US building codes have significantly increased the required strength of panel zones in steel moment frames. To satisfy these requirements, column sizes must be increased or doubler plates must be welded to the column, resulting in increased cost, sometimes substantially so. However, there is significant experimental evidence that moment frame joints with weak panel zones show highly ductile performance, and consistently achieve large interstory drift angles under cyclic loading without strength degradation. There is also analytical evidence suggesting excellent overall seismic performance can be achieved by moment frames with weak panel zones. This strongly suggests that current building codes have adopted an incorrect approach to panel zone design, needlessly increasing the cost of construction while potentially degrading seismic performance.
The overall goal of this NEESR Small Group Project is to resolve the question: how much panel zone participation should be permitted in the inelastic seismic response of a steel moment frame? Despite a number of past studies on this issue, there are sharply conflicting views of how panel zones should be treated in design, both within the research community as well as within the building regulatory community. At the crux of the disagreements are concerns regarding fracture induced by panel zone yielding. There appears to be broad agreement that panel zone yielding is a highly ductile process. However, there is broad disagreement on the role that panel zone yielding plays in joint fracture. To address these concerns will require the fundamental capability to predict fracture at joints with weak panel zones subject to seismic loading. Thus, a key objective of this research is to advance the state of the art in predicting cyclic rupture within critical ductile components of steel building structures, and to apply this knowledge to the problem of the panel zone in steel moment frames. To meet these goals, a research project is proposed that will integrate (1) fundamental studies on cyclic rupture of steel components combined with high resolution finite element simulations of beam- column joints, (2) advanced frame simulation studies, (3) large-scale experimental studies conducted at the NEES MAST Laboratory, and (4) parametric computational studies on joint performance.
Project Progress
309
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: During Q4, UT1 was tested between 7/12/1 and 7/13/12, UT2 was tested between 7/27/12 and 7/31/12. UT3 was tested between 8/13/12 and 8/14/12. All lab work, including demo and cleanup was completed on 9/7/12. Other than data support to the researcher, we consider this project complete.
FY13 – Q1: Data support was provided to this project during the quarter. All data has been uploaded. There is no more scheduled work to be completed, however, we will continue to provided data support when requested
FY13 – Q2: No work on this project during Q2.
Project 3 – Shih-Ho Chao (University of Texas - Arlington) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 0936563
NEESR-CR: Steel Truss Systems with Enhanced Seismic Safety and Performance Project Description This award is an outcome of the NSF 09-524 program solicitation "George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) Research (NEESR)" competition and includes the University of Texas, Arlington (lead) and Valparaiso University (subaward). This award will utilize the NEES equipment site at the University of Minnesota, named the Multi-Axial Subassemblage Testing (MAST) Laboratory. The goal of this research is to advance seismic safety and design of building structures by studying two steel truss systems: special truss moment frames (STMFs) and staggered truss frames (STFs). Due to their ability to achieve large column-free floor spaces, STMFs and STFs are unique, valuable options for structural engineers. However, although STMFs and STFs offer a wide range of structural, architectural, and economical benefits, limited research data is available on the seismic performance of these systems. Because previous tests on STMFs do not adequately reflect the current practice in design and detailing, substantial improvement in design methodology and confidence could be gained for STMFs by further research. Despite the strong interest among the engineering community, the application of STFs to seismic regions has been restricted due to lack of research. The project will advance knowledge about the system behavior of STMFs and STFs and recommend innovations to improve the seismic performance of these two truss systems.
The NEES-MAST facility will be used to impose cyclic loading on large-scale subassemblages that comprise the fundamental structural unit of a STMF or STF. The large-scale tests will be used to: (1) verify the behavior of STMFs constructed according to recommendations from recent research results; (2) explore specific truss configurations that could enhance the performance of STMFs; (3) clarify the system behavior of STFs under cyclic loading; and (4) identify preferred energy dissipation mechanisms for STFs. The structural engineering laboratory at Valparaiso University will be used to examine the cyclic loading performance of shear-stud connections between steel chord members and hollow core concrete planks. In addition, analytical studies will lead to general nonlinear analysis methods that represent the seismic behavior of STMFs and STFs and generate nonlinear time history analysis data for a set of representative building systems that utilize STMFs or STFs. Results from this research will promote wider use of STMFs and STFs.
310
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: During Q4, only a small amount of work was accomplished on the work plan because the PI was busy constructing specimens for his other NEESR project. We are pushing the PI hard to finish this work plan by the middle of November so he can get his steel fabricated and be ready in 2013 to take occupancy in the lab.
FY13 – Q1: Work continued on the work plan during the quarter. The fabrication drawings have been finished, the PI is in the process of issuing a PO for fabrication of the steel. The site is working on finalizing a project schedule. We anticipate submitting an ESUF early in Q2
FY13 – Q2: The work plan was finalized. An ESUF was submitted. The lab started receiving load frame components in March.
Project 4 – Shih-Ho Chao (University of Texas - Arlington) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 1041633
NEESR-CR: Full-Scale RC and HPFRC Frame Subassemblages Subjected to Collapse-Consistent Loading Protocols for Enhanced Collapse Simulation and Internal Damage Characterization Project Description The proposed project will advance the understanding of the response of modern reinforced concrete (RC) moment frames and high performance fiber reinforced concrete (HPFRC) moment frames subjected to extreme collapse-level earthquake motion. Collapse simulation models of the primary load-resisting components will be improved through testing of full-scale frame sub-assemblages subjected to collapse-consistent loading protocols, and the fundamental understanding of internal damage progression will be improved through the use of unique internal damage imaging technology. Improved simulation of such structures is a critically important research topic: collapse resistance of most structural systems is not well understood, yet collapse resistance is fundamental to the life-
311 safety of building occupants during seismic events. Currently available test data are insufficient for use in developing accurate models for collapse simulation because: 1) nearly all available test data do not continue to deformation levels large enough to exhibit the collapse-level behavior of the component; 2) nearly all available test data were obtained using loading protocols that do not realistically represent the number of cycles that a component would actually undergo if subjected to a collapse-level ground motion; 3) there are limited test data where identical components are subjected to multiple loading protocols, which is needed to allow proper component calibration; 4) nearly all available RC columns test data are limited to 24”×24” or smaller cross-sections; 5) there is no known experimental data that show the slab participation effects at near-collapse deformation levels; and 6) the development of internal damage within RC elements has not been monitored throughout the progression of loading. The proposed work plan addresses these deficiencies in the current state of knowledge and practice. Furthermore, the application of cutting-edge materials and inspection technology are proposed. HPFRC is an emerging material that exhibits high tolerance to damage even under large deformations. Currently, only limited data are available to understand the seismic performance of HPFRC components; this research is structured to increase this understanding. Ultrasonic tomography offers unique capabilities to characterize internal damage within materials, however true practical application of such methods to RC elements has not yet been achieved; accordingly, the necessary development work is an integral part of this planned research. The project will utilize the NEES MAST facility to test RC and HPFRC frame subassemblages to obtain the critically needed test data for collapse simulation of RC moment frames.
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Casting of the baseblocks was completed this quarter. We began lower the crosshead to the position needed for this project on 9/13/12 and completed that move on 9/27/12. Specimen C1-4 was delivered to the lab on 9/20/12 and tilted up on 9/25/12. Testing will commence in Q4 of FY13.
FY13 – Q1: Preparations of the testing space to accommodate the specimen was completed in mid- 312 November. The first specimen was tested on 11/8/12, with demolition completed by 11/20/12. The second specimen was received in the lab on 11/5/12. This specimen had poor consolidation of concrete in the base, so repairs had to be made on the specimen before it could be tested. The specimen was installed into the testing machine on 11/16/12, tested on 12/6-12/7/2012, with demo completed on 12/18/12. The third specimen was delivered to the lab on 12/3/12. This specimen was installed in the testing machine on 12/14/12. It will be tested in the very beginning of January. During installation, some of the lead wires coming out of the concrete were accidently cut prior to testing. These wires were spliced and connected during testing, but the labels were lost when the wires were cut. We will do a destructive forensic investigation after testing to try and determine the embedded strain gage associated with each of these wires. The project is currently on schedule. A picture of one of the tested columns is provided on the last tab of this workbook.
FY13 – Q2: Testing continued in Q2. Four specimens were tested during this quarter: CI-5 was tested 1/2-1/2/13, CI-6 was tested 1/17-1/18/13, CII-2 was tested 2/11-2/12/13, CI-1 was tested 3/4-3/5/13, CI-7 was installed in the testing machine on 3/18/13 and will be tested the first week of April. We also did a forensic investigation of the third column that had the lead wires cut. We were able to match the wires coming out of the concrete with their respective gages in the concrete. A report on the procedure and findings for the forensic investigation is being prepared. Per request of the PI, we will test one additional column beyond what was in the work plan for this project. The time will come out of the PI's steel project, which is the next project scheduled to use the lab. We anticipate being completely finished with all phase one testing of this project by the end of April, 2013.
Project 5 – Sritharan (Iowa State University) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 1041650
NEESR-CR: Unbonded Post-Tensioned Rocking Walls for Seismic Resilient Structures Project Description The damage caused by earthquakes and subsequent economic losses underscore the need for designers and researchers to focus on developing seismic resilient buildings. One method of achieving resilient buildings is through the use of self-centering structural systems that are typically designed with lightly prestressed unbonded post-tensioning tendons. The concept was investigated in precast walls nearly a decade ago through the NSF PREecast Seismic Structural Systems (PRESSS) program, but the implementation of the only wall system from this study has been limited due to several deficiencies. To overcome these deficiencies, PI Sritharan, and his students developed a cost-effective alternative known as PreWEC, which was formed by joining a Precast Wall with two End Columns using easily, replaceable energy dissipating elements. The PreWEC system has been proven analytically and experimentally to have the potential to provide an excellent seismic resilient system, resulting in minimal structural damage under simulated earthquake effects. In these developments, the potential energy loss caused by the wall impacting the foundation during rocking motions was not given consideration although significant evidence suggests this mechanism alone may be sufficient to dissipate the seismic energy. The reason for neglecting the impact energy loss is due to lack of fundamental knowledge. Furthermore, the resilience of a building containing rocking walls with or without hysteric energy dissipation capability is also dependent on the behavior of surrounding structure, especially floors and gravity columns, and their interactions with the self-centering systems. Past tests that have included floor systems typically minimized these interactions. To ensure a fully resilient structure, these interactions should be addressed by understanding the wall-floor connection responses. Finally, to ensure the reliability of these systems, critical research is necessary with regard to investigating tendon anchorages. As past research, though not addressed, many of the
313 critical variables have led to conflicting results. Technical Merits: With strong collaboration opportunities with E-Defense and nees@Auckland, the proposed project focuses on the development of seismic resilient building solutions utilizing the fundamental characteristics of seismic rocking of both single walls (SRW) and PreWEC. In addition to developing new knowledge in the areas identified above, significant effort will be placed on the identification of different energy dissipation sources of rocking walls such as impact (or radiation damping), viscous damping and hysteretic damping, and the influence of hysteretic damping on the impact energy loss. Involving an international, cross- disciplinary team of experts and utilizing two NEES equipment portfolios, the project team will complete the following objectives: 1) understand the fundamental characteristics of seismic rocking of self-centering walls through NEES/international tests; 2) develop suitable connections between rocking walls and floors, and quantify the wall-floor-column interactions using large-scale tests; 3) design seismic resilient structures; 4) improve numerical simulation of buildings designed with rocking walls and different floor systems; 5) formulate guidelines; and 6) educate students, practitioners, and others (e.g., policy makers) on the significance of the proposed study. Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: ES staff continued to meet regularly with Project staff to discuss the work plan. The co-PI in charge of the lab work at Minnesota went on medical leave in August, so we did not complete the work plan. We are now working with the PI and the grad student at Minnesota to finish up the work plan, but many details have to still be ironed out.
FY13 – Q1: Meetings were held every other week with the project staff to continue work on the work plan. The first specimen has been designed and detailed. There are a few outstanding issues surrounding the construction to be completed for the first specimen. Work has also started on designing the 2nd specimen.
FY13 – Q2: MAST staff continued to meet with Project staff to work on the work plan. The work plan for the first specimen is nearly complete; work is ongoing for the 2nd specimen.
314 Project 6 – Parra-Montesinos (University of Michigan) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 0936519
NEESR-CR: Assessment of Punching Shear Vulnerability of Slab-Column Connections with Shear Stud Reinforcement Project Description This award is an outcome of the NSF 09-524 program solicitation "George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) Research (NEESR)" competition and includes the University of Michigan (lead institution), the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (subaward), and the University of Minnesota, Duluth (subaward). This project will utilize the NEES equipment site at the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities).
Structural systems that consist of slabs directly supported by columns or flat plate frame systems are widely used in concrete construction because of their architectural appearance, functionality, and economy. In regions of high seismic hazard, they have been used in structures of up to 60 stories, in combination with structural walls or moment resisting frames. Because of their potential for punching shear failures during earthquakes, shear reinforcement is often provided in the form of headed shear studs. Results from a test conducted as part of a prior NEESR project (NSF award 0421180), however, have raised serious concerns about the effectiveness of this reinforcement for punching shear resistance. Given the large number of flat-plate structures with headed reinforcement built in the last decade, these test results could be an indication of a latent major problem that could surface in the next large earthquake on the west coast. If this is indeed as serious of a problem as the prior NEESR test results seem to indicate, the earthquake engineering community should act with diligence and prevent a situation similar to that observed with welded steel connections during the 1994 Northridge, CA earthquake.
This project involves a group of researchers from three U.S. universities and the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). The main research objective is to estimate the vulnerability of existing slab-column connections by evaluating the efficiency of typical headed reinforcement designs used in practice. Large-scale slab-column subassemblies will be tested under combined gravity load and biaxial lateral displacements at the University of Minnesota NEES-MAST Laboratory. These tests will allow the evaluation of the vulnerability of slab-column connections with headed stud reinforcement during strong ground motions. Shake table tests of a flat-plate structure will also be conducted at UNAM for evaluation of the response of connections with headed reinforcement under dynamic excitation.
Intellectual Merit: This research will generate needed information that will allow practicing engineers and building officials to identify vulnerable flat-plate construction with headed reinforcement. This is one of a very few instances in which experimental research has prompted major concerns about the safety of modern structures before those concerns are confirmed by a major earthquake. Thus, the knowledge developed in this project could have a major impact in terms of protecting lives and reducing financial losses associated with potential failure or collapse of flat-plate structures during an earthquake.
Broader Impacts: The education and outreach program targets undergraduate and pre-college level students. Through the use of the teleparticipation capabilities at the University of Minnesota NEES equipment site, these students will have the opportunity to witness the various steps of the experimental program and to remotely attend lectures on the basics of earthquakes and design of
315 concrete structures for ground motions. Data from this project will be archived and made available to the public through the NEES data repository.
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: The project was completed in FY Q2.
Site Readiness Narratives Site Safety Task FY 2012 – Q4 FY 2013 – Q1 FY 2013 – Q2 Last Revision of Safety Plan 9/10/2012 9/10/2012 9/10/2012 Reportable Injuries 0 0 0
316 PMCR Progress FY 2012:
FY 2013:
For FY12, NEES@Minnesota completed all activities associated with PMCR. For fiscal year 2013, the facility has is slightly behind in completing the same amount of work as compared to the previous fiscal year. It is anticipated that the facility will complete all PMCR activities outline in the annual work plan.
PMCR Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Maintenance During Q1, orders were placed to replace broken and damaged Krypton LEDs. An additional 20 channel strober was also ordered to have as a spare, because one of our 20 channel strobers has not been working well consistently. 317
During Q2, significant maintenance and calibration was performed on our welding machine in order to get it ready and into specification for the required welding on the Texas A&M steel project. A set of heavy duty C-clamps were purchased to make the setup of the Texas A&M beams prior to welding more efficient. The site license for solid works was renewed during Q2. The license for the firewall was also renewed in Q2.
During Q3, in addition to replacing wearing cables and tools, the maintenance contract for the cisco switch was renewed.
During Q4 the pallet jacks were replaced, we began work on modernizing our computer backup and storage systems, as some of them were so old that we could no longer get maintenance agreements for them.
Calibration Planned calibrations will take place later in the fiscal year.
During Q3, the DAQ was calibrated.
During Q4 the height gages and pin load cells were calibrated
Repair None
FY13 – Q1: Maintenance During Q1, worn tools were replaced, power adaptors on cameras were replaced in an effort to correct a problem with the cameras shutting off, and other routine PM was completed.
Calibration None
Repair During Q1, a failed actuator hose was replaced. No planned repairs occurred during Q2
FY13 – Q2: Maintenance During Q2 we purchased additional external hard drives to back up and deliver data to researchers, we purchased a system to monitor temperatures inside our sever racks and pump room after having problems with temperatures in the control room that were not handled properly by the University BSAC unit. We replaced a wireless access point that was not functioning properly. The phone in the control room was fixed so to accept outside calls so that researchers can reach staff when they are in the control room. Tools were replaced as they wore out, routine maintenance was performed.
Calibration None
Repair None 318
Network Requirements EOT
EOT Category Fiscal Year and Quarter FY12 / Q4 FY13 / Q1 FY13 / Q2 Total Number of NEES Events 1 4 4 Total Number of Participants 3 270 24 Total Number of Events Engaging Practitioners 0 1 0 Total Number of Engaged Practitioners 0 10 0
Capacity Building and Network Initiatives Progress FY 2012:
*Note: No Network EOT activities planned for FY12
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FY 2013:
*Note: No Network EOT activities planned for FY13
For FY12, NEES@Minesota completed all activities associated with Capacity Building and Network Initiatives. For fiscal year 2013, the facility is on target to complete all CBI and Network initiatives activities outline in the annual work plan.
Capacity Building and Network Initiative Activity Narrative Facility Enhancements: FY2012 – Q4: Carol Shield attended the 15WCEE in Portugal.
FY2013 – Q1: During Q1, Bergson and Gaulke attended an AISC welding seminar, Staff participated in an AISC webinar on erection engineering, Gaulke and Vancura attended the Minnesota Concrete Conference. Additionally, supplies for organized storage on the new mezzanine were ordered and much of the equipment that had been sitting on the staging area floor has been moved to its permanent storage location on the mezzanine.
FY2013 – Q2: During Q2, Bergson attended a UMN workshop on situational leadership, Gaulke attended a Uof MN workshop on career directions, Vancura attended the MTS hydraulics training (first week of April, but reported in Q2, because our pay periods span 2 weeks and so this pay period was reported in Q2)
IT Community Activities: FY2012 – Q4: Q1 - work continued on RDV development, with another release of RDV. Now that Drew Daugherty is no longer employed by the MAST Laboratory, we will be unable to continue to support RDV. The crack detection software is also on hold pending hiring or new IT personnel.
Q2 - no work was completed on the IT community Activities during Q2, as we did not have any IT staff during Q2.
Q3 - our new IT staff started looking into the crack detection software. He also made some changes to
320 the local version of RDV that will ultimately get pushed to the hub version. We also started investigating what it would take to be able to load data on the Hub into a data turbine instance in order to be able to replay data on the Hub through RDV."
FY2013 – Q1: During Q1 work started on the crack detection tool. The list of stakeholders and their needs were identified. A temporarily website has been configured for documentation. Work is underway for a requirements document.
FY 2013 – Q2: During Q2, the requirements review was completed on February 13, 2013. More Automated Crack Detection Tool stakeholders have been identified this quarter. Design is also completed, pending a review. A design review will be scheduled with NEES and project stakeholders in the next quarter. Also, NEES has provided a document on security considerations for the tool. These considerations will be implemented as time permits. Preliminary implementation and prototyping has begun on the user interface and navigation."
Network EOT: FY 2012 – Q4: Q3 - Slides, tutorial, and evaluation questions were formulated for the NEES RDV workshop to be held at the Quake Summit.
Q4 - An RDV workshop was held in conjunction with the NEES Annual meeting.
FY 2013 – Q1: No work was done on the network wide webinar in Q1.
FY 2013 – Q2: In Q2, this webinar was cancelled. The funds associated with it were redistributed to other parts of the budget in our updated AWP.
Network Resource Sharing: FY 2012 – Q4: "Q1, Chris Budden from Buffalo spent a day at the MAST Laboratory discussing instrumentation best practices.
Q2. No network sharing was completed this quarter, but none was planned for the year.
Q3. Discussions were held with Reno about loaning load cells to their site for use with Sritharans NEESR project
Q4 Michael Bruneau from SUNY Buffalo visited the MAST Lab."
FY 2013 – Q1: No resource sharing was performed in Q1. Mike Boldischar helped with the NEES Boot Camp at Berkeley. He then stayed an extra day at Berkeley to talk with the Berkeley staff about their operations.
FY 2013 – Q2: No Network sharing planned for Q2.
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Annualized Equipment Maintenance FY 2012 – Q4
FY 2013 - Q1 No AEM funds were expended in Q1
FY 2013 Q2 No AEM funds were expended in Q2 Supplemental Awards and Major Equipment Repair "Automated Experiment Data Centralization System
This project started out behind schedule because of supplemental funding delays. A student worker was hired on March 18, 2013. The student is working with MAST staff to develop a requirements specification for the project. A requirements review with NEES and project stakeholders will be scheduled in the next quarter. Also, the student is investigating technologies that could be used in implementation. Meetings have taken place with UIUC and Purdue to identify potential supplemental funding collaboration."
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4.14 University of Nevada, Reno
The NEES@UNR facility is highlighted with four shake‐table array; three biaxial shake tables and one six‐ degree‐of‐freedom table. The above figure shows Buckle and his research team getting ready to utilize the site unique capabilities to study the dynamic performance of 12-ft wide, 145-ft long, three span curved bridge with live load. Six bridge models with different configurations were tested.
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University of Nevada Reno – Large-Scale Structures Laboratory Annual Facility Snapshot Narrative FY2013
Site Personnel
Ian Buckle, PI Kelly Lyttle, CCEER Program Coordinator Sherif Elfass, Site Operations Manager Patrick Laplace, Senior Lab Manager, Safety Officer Robert Nelson, Research Scientist Rodney Porter, IT Systems & Data Administration David Sanders, Co-PI Chad Lyttle, Development Technician II Todd Lyttle, Development Technician II
NEES@UNR
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Budget Summary
Annual Work Plan Distribution Reported Distribution
FY 2013 Work Breakdown Structure FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2012 (Q1 & Q2) Shared-Use Research Support $514,660.00 $367,850.00 $405,372.00 $191,234.00 Site Readiness 172,885.00 161,036.00 99,852.00 27,778.00 Network Requirements 300,559.00 307,919.00 298,616.00 84,061.00 IT Community Activities 11,414.00 15,111.00 578.00 0.00 Facility Enhancement Activities 40,723.00 13,489.00 44,125.00 8,687.00 Network EOT 29,986.18 9,491.00 18,741.00 2,351.00 Annualized Equipment Maintenance 19,945.00 19,945.00 6,625.00 3,682.00 Network Resource Sharing 8,971.00 40,877.00 11,758.00 0.00 Total $1,099,143.18 $935,718.00 $885,667.00 $317,793.00 *All values obtained from quarterly financial reports submitted by facilities. Actual values are reconciled by the business office.
Figure 55: Cumulative Planned and Reported Expenditures According to WBS for FY 2012 325
Figure 56: Cumulative Planned and Reported Expenditures According to WBS for Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 of FY 2013
Shared-Use Research
Average Project Support Progress All NEES facilities, as a part of their annual work plan, submit proposed project completion percentages for all supported projects during that fiscal year. Progress is reported quarterly and tracked by NEEScomm. The following figure represents the average reported progress for all supported projects compared to the target completion percentage as outlined in the annual work plan. A similar graph is shown for each project.
326 Using the percent progress for each project, equivalent projects are determined for each site. As an example, if a facility completed 50% of two projects and 25% of a third in a certain fiscal year, that facility has completed 1.25 equivalent projects.
Fiscal Year Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Planned
Equivalent Number of Completed 2012 0.22 0.71 1.55 1.81 2.14 Projects 2013 0.26 0.72 - - 2.5
For FY12, NEES@UNR planned, according to their AWP, that they would be 70% complete with all projects at the facility, on average. By the end of FY12 NEES@UNR had reached a 61% average completion. For FY13 NEES@Minnesota has planned to have a 65% project completion percentage by the end of the fiscal year.
Project 1 – Buckle (University of Nevada Reno) Federal Highway Administration, DTFH61-07-C-0031 Design Guidelines and Fragility Functions for Horizontally Curved Bridges Project Description Approved for shared-use in 2007, this project is a task within a larger project funded by Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under a contract to the University of Nevada to study the seismic resilience of highway systems. It is the objective of this Project to conduct a comprehensive study of the seismic response of horizontally-curved highway bridges. The ultimate aim is to develop a set of seismic design guidelines for this type of bridge. A secondary aim is to develop a set fragility functions for curved bridges for use in resilience studies of highway systems. The scope therefore includes numerical analyses, parameter studies, and large-scale, shake table experiments on a highly curved bridge to investigate load path in the superstructure, column behavior, abutment interaction (pounding), and the effectiveness of response modification devices, self-centering substructures, and rocking columns. Design guidelines and fragility functions will be developed. Whereas the numerical studies will be conducted for a wide range of curved geometries and structure types, the experimental studies will be on a large-scale model of a highly curved, continuous bridge, with a steel superstructure supported on concrete piers and seat-type abutments. The research plan for this task is in seven parts:
1. Numerical studies using software such as SAP 2000 and OpenSEES to conduct parameter studies on seismic performance 2. Design and construction of large-scale bridge model 3. Experimental and numerical studies of lateral load paths in steel superstructures including the influence of ductile-end cross-frames on response. 4. Experimental and numerical studies of concrete substructures, including conventional, self-centering and rocking columns. 5. Experimental and numerical studies on superstructure-abutment interaction including pounding. 6. Experimental and numerical studies of advanced technologies such as smart isolators and dampers. 7. Development of design guidelines and fragility functions for curved bridges.
For the experimental tasks ((2) – (6) above), it is proposed to construct a 2/5 model (12-ft wide, 145-ft long, three span bridge), and support it on all four NEES shake tables in the Large-Scale Structures Laboratory at UNR. These experiments will be a unique use of the NEES equipment at UNR and could not have been considered before this facility was established. There is no other laboratory in the US (and perhaps the world) that could be used to conduct these experiments at this scale.
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Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: The project was completed in Q3 of FY12.
Project 2 – Buckle (University of Nevada Reno) NSF-NEES Relocation of Two Shake Tables Back to Original Position Project Description This project is a task within the curved-bridge project (Buckle) – P1. However, due to the magnitude of the task and to facilitate tracking and reporting, it was decided to include it as a separate project. There are two activities planned under this project: 1) Relocation one biaxial shake table (T2); and 2) Relocation of 6dof table (T4) back to their original. Once they are in position, assembly of the first wall specimen (P4, PI: Sritharan) will start.
328 Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: The project was completed in Q3 of FY12.
Project 3 – Dusicka (Portland State University) NSF – NEESR, CMMI-0830414 NEESR-II: Toward Rapid Return to Occupancy in Unbraced Steel Frames Project Description Conventional structural steel frame systems have been primarily developed to effectively resist gravity loads. In areas of moderate to high seismicity, these structural systems have been made to effectively resist earthquake induced motion through specific and often complex detailing requirements. The basic seismic design philosophy has been to engage sufficient plasticity in the gravity system in order to prevent loss of life. However, the expectations of building owners and society are, in general, no longer satisfied with merely providing life safety, and new structural systems are needed to target specific seismic performance levels. One of these targets needs to include rapid return to occupancy, especially for hazard levels that are less than the maximum expected. The overall objective of this project is to develop a lateral load resisting system for unbraced steel frames capable of achieving specific target performance levels. The system includes the use of dual columns interconnected by specially designed links coupled with ordinary moment resisting frames that together provide ductile response with recoverable deformations through replacement of the non-gravity load carrying link components. The structural system also reduces the reliance on the uncertainty of column fixity at the foundation and could eliminate the occurrence of soft story phenomena in tall main floors. NEES equipment sites now offer a unique capability to experimentally evaluate system level response under dynamic loads, which is required to study the interaction of the structural components and evaluate the re-centering capability of the system after removal of the link elements. The critical and replaceable link components rely on plastic shear behavior. Two link alternatives will be evaluated; one relying on conventional stiffened steel and the other utilizing a unique elastomeric-steel composite web.
This NEES Individual Investigator research will transform design in regions of moderate and high seismicity by developing a unique seismic load resisting system able to simultaneously satisfy two different performance objectives by controlling yielding in gravity and non-gravity load carrying components. 329
Project Progress
Activity Narrative Project transferred to Berkeley
Project 4 – Sritharan (Iowa State University) NSF – NEESR, CMMI - 1041650
NEESR-CR: Unbonded Post-Tensioned Rocking Walls for Seismic Resilient Structures Project Description The damage caused by earthquakes and subsequent economic losses underscore the need for designers and researchers to focus on developing seismic resilient buildings. One method of achieving resilient buildings is through the use of self-centering structural systems that are typically designed with lightly prestressed unbonded post-tensioning tendons. The concept was investigated in precast walls nearly a decade ago through the NSF PREecast Seismic Structural Systems (PRESSS) program, but the implementation of the only wall system from this study has been limited due to several deficiencies. To overcome these deficiencies, PI Sritharan, and his students developed a cost-effective alternative known as PreWEC, which was formed by joining a Precast Wall with two End Columns using easily, replaceable energy dissipating elements. The PreWEC system has been proven analytically and experimentally to have the potential to provide an excellent seismic resilient system, resulting in minimal structural damage under simulated earthquake effects. In these developments, the potential energy loss caused by the wall impacting the foundation during rocking motions was not given consideration although significant evidence suggests this mechanism alone may be sufficient to dissipate the seismic energy. The reason for neglecting the impact energy loss is due to lack of fundamental knowledge. Furthermore, the resilience of a building containing rocking walls with or without hysteric energy dissipation capability is also dependent on the behavior of surrounding structure, especially floors and gravity columns, and their interactions with the self-centering systems. Past tests that have included floor systems typically minimized these interactions. To ensure a fully resilient structure, these interactions should be addressed by understanding the wall-floor connection responses. Finally, to ensure the reliability of these systems, critical research is necessary with regard to investigating tendon anchorages as past research, though not addressed many of the critical variables, and has led to conflicting results. With strong collaboration opportunities with E-Defense and NEES@Auckland, the proposed project focuses
330 on the development of seismic resilient building solutions utilizing the fundamental characteristics of seismic rocking of both single walls (SRW) and PreWEC. In addition to developing new knowledge in the areas identified above, significant effort will be placed on the identification of different energy dissipation sources of rocking walls such as impact (or radiation damping), viscous damping and hysteretic damping, and the influence of hysteretic damping on the impact energy loss. Involving an international, cross-disciplinary team of experts and utilizing two NEES equipment portfolios, the project team will complete the following objectives: 1) understand the fundamental characteristics of seismic rocking of self-centering walls through NEES/international tests; 2) develop suitable connections between rocking walls and floors, and quantify the wall-floor-column interactions using large-scale tests; 3) design seismic resilient structures; 4) improve numerical simulation of buildings designed with rocking walls and different floor systems; 5) formulate guidelines; and 6) educate students, practitioners, and others (e.g., policy makers) on the significance of the proposed study.
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: The site successfully carried out all experimental activities associated with two wall specimens by August 10. As stated in Q3, due to the delay imposed by the project, two of the four planned wall specimens were deferred to FY13 in order not to impose any more delays to the subsequent project (GC-Maragakis). After concluding demolition activities, site manager conducted a post-mortem meeting with project team and site staff to discuss lessons learned so that they can be avoided during the second phase of the project. The last six wall specimens will be tested after the conclusion of GC-Maragakis project in FY13-Q3.
FY 13 – Q1: Site manager continues to communicate with project team about test schedule as well as interacting with them to ensure a viable experimental test plan.
FY 13 – Q2: Site manager continued to communicate with project to discuss schedule and experimental test plan. Site manager plans to have regular weekly meetings with project team in April to refine the test plan and address test setup details. This should prevent a delay in the schedule once the team in onsite. It is 331
expected to have all six walls, six load beams and three footings to be fabricated off site and delivered by beginning of May. Demolition of the last test specimen is planned for end of July.
Project 5 – Maragakis (University of Nevada Reno) NSF, CMMI - 0721399
NEESR-GC: Simulation of the Seismic Performance of Nonstructural Systems Project Description This Grand Challenge project will integrate multidisciplinary system-level studies that will develop, for the first time, a simulation capability and implementation process for enhancing the seismic performance of the ceiling-piping-partition nonstructural system. A comprehensive experimental program is proposed that will use the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) and University at Buffalo (UB) NEES Equipment Sites to conduct subsystem and system-level full-scale experiments. A payload project using the E-Defense facility has been planned in coordination with Japanese researchers. Integrated with this experimental effort will be a numerical simulation program that will develop experimentally verified analytical models; establish system and subsystem fragility functions; and, develop visualization tools that will provide engineering educators and practitioners with sketch-based modeling capabilities. Public policy investigations are designed to support the implementation of the research results. The project is organized around a strategic plan that draws on the talents of 23 institutions around the country and collaborates closely with industry through a Practice Committee consisting of experts representing all aspects of the ceiling-piping-partition nonstructural systems. In addition to unique experimental facilities, NEES provides a valuable data archiving and exchange resource, as well as teleparticipation and modeling tools to create the necessary framework for success of such a collaborative research effort.
The proposed systems engineering research will move the field to a new level of experimentally validated computer simulation of nonstructural systems and establish a model methodology for future systems engineering studies. A system-level multi-site experimental research plan will result in a large-scale tunable test-bed with adjustable dynamic properties, which will be useful for future experiments. Subsystem and system-level experimental results will produce unique fragility data useful for practitioners. Experimental evaluation of new protective devices and designs will result in an assessment of their capability for enhancing the seismic performance of ceiling-piping-partition nonstructural systems. An integrated multidisciplinary simulation and visualization program will explore new techniques to produce (i) new simulation and visualization tools that will provide innovative 3D modeling mechanisms and reliable models to be used by researchers and practitioners; (ii) state-of-the-art robust fragility data; and, (iii) tools that can be used for education and implementation purposes. Finally, important public policy implications will be investigated through the use of representative index buildings and urban planning tools to estimate the cost benefits of the new protective devices and design concepts at both the individual building and the metropolitan area scales. The results will address important implementation barriers and provide compelling public policy rationales for amendments to building codes and standards and related guidelines.
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Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Assembly of the test bed structure started on August 13. Site staff assisted the contractor during the assembly. Since the structure is too rigid in the transverse direction, the site implemented a physical restraining mechanism on the three shake tables to limit their uncontrolled motion in the transverse direction. The site also fabricated special mounting brackets to mount the various transducers as required by the project test plan. After erecting and instrumenting the test bed structure, it was subjected to different motions to confirm its dynamic properties. After the conclusion of the system ID tests, the structure was made available to the piping/partition/ceiling contractors to start erecting the non-structural components. Meanwhile, site manager is working with project PI, project team and contractors to ensure project is on schedule.
FY13 – Q1: "This Grand Challenge project utilizes three biaxial shake tables to study the seismic response and failure mechanisms of ceiling-piping-partition systems. A test-bed steel structure (60ft x 12ft x 25ft) will be used to simulate a variety of dynamic environments of different types of buildings housing nonstructural and to allow for full-scale system-level experiments. A variety of ceiling and piping components and subsystems, floor-to-floor and horizontal pipe runs of complex geometry, and different types of partitions will be tested. In FY12, test bed was erected, instrumented and subjected to different motions to confirm its dynamic properties. After the conclusion of the system ID tests, contractors for the piping, ceiling and partition started to install the non-structural components. Soon after the completion of the test setup and after receiving the instrumentation plan from project team, site staff reassessed the time required to implement the instrumentation plan for every experiment. It was, then, realized that the current scope of the project (nine experiments) will require more time than the site allocated for the project and agreed upon by project PI. Consequently, site manager evaluated all possible mitigation actions and presented them to project PI. The result was three simultaneous actions: 1) site will allow contractors to work extra hours and during Holidays; 2) site will allow its staff to works during selected weekends as well as hiring more student helpers; and 3) project will eliminate one experiment. However, these actions will be closely monitored and evaluated on regular basis by site manager to ensure project finishes by planned end date. 333
Meanwhile, the site successfully completed two experiments in Q1. It is expected to finish all experiments by May 3, 2013. "
FY13 – Q2: Site staff continued to support to the contractors in demolishing and rebuilding the piping system, ceiling and partition walls after experiments as described in the test plan. Furthermore, site staff detached and reattached sensors, cameras and light fixtures after each experiment as outlined in the instrumentation plan. The site continued to allow his staff and contractors to work extra hours when needed to meet project schedule. The site successfully completed five more experiments in Q2. Meanwhile, site manager and University media officer with initiative from NEEScomm, accommodated the request made by Discovery Channel Canada to develop a story on one of the experiments and include it in their program. Only one final experiment is expected in Q3.
Project 6 – Kiremidjian (Stanford University) NSF – NEESR, CMMI-1207911 NEESR: Novel Embedded Diagnostics Wireless Structural Monitoring Systems Project Description Structural health monitoring has been the intense focus of research in structural engineering with significant advances made over the past decade in the development of wireless monitoring sensing systems. When empowered with data interrogation algorithms, such systems can provide critical damage assessment information to first responders immediately after an extreme event and can greatly facilitate the recovery process. This research investigates a new methodology for post-event structural damage assessment, using wireless sensors, through the following tasks: (a) design a novel direct residual displacement sensing unit, (b) develop new and identify existing damage algorithms suitable for embedding in sensing nodes, (c) embed the damage detection algorithms on the microprocessor of the sensing nodes, (d) calibrate the algorithms with available data from previous laboratory or numerical experiments, and (e) verify their predictive capabilities though three payload experiments on projects using the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) facilities and Japan's E-Defense shake table. The payload experiments will use the multi-story reinforced concrete frame to be tested at the E-Defense shake table facility in Miki, Japan, the full scale unibody light wood-frame structure test to be conducted at the NEES shake table facility at the University of California, San Diego, and the unbounded post-tensioned rocking wall test to be conducted at the NEES shake table facility at the University of Nevada, Reno. Each of these three types of structural systems has unique characteristics with their specific challenges. Data from this research will be archived and made available to the public through the NEES Project Warehouse/data repository (http://www.nees.org).
1. A new advanced method for direct measurement of residual displacement, with confirmation of such measurements through the payload experiments, can represent a major breakthrough in the ability to monitor and assess structural performance after a major event in near real time, thus providing critical information to first responders and owners in a timely manner. Demonstration of embedding of complex damage detection algorithms and verification of the functionality of these algorithms through the three payload experiments will greatly enhance the ability to deploy wireless sensors more effectively in the field. This award is part of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP).
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Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY13 – Q1: Site manager continues to communicate with project team about test schedule as well as interacting with them to ensure a viable experimental test plan.
FY13 – Q2: No report
Project 7 – Ryan (University of Nevada, Reno) NSF, CMMI - 1101105 Collaborative Research: An Innovative Gap Damper to Control Seismic Isolator Displacements in Extreme Earthquakes Project Description Seismic isolation is widely recognized as the best way to protect both a building structure and contents from earthquakes, and as a result is experiencing sustained growth in the U.S. and worldwide. However, many of the benefits of isolation are lost when isolated buildings are subjected to motions exceeding the design ground motions. The most significant risk is that extreme deformation demands lead to violent impact of the building against an outer moat wall, which transfers a high energy shockwave to the structure. Some studies have suggested that an isolated building might have a significant risk of collapse in an MCE event. The U.S. nuclear industry has a growing interest in the use of seismic isolation for nuclear power plants, but recognizes the specification of beyond-design-basis criteria and an appropriate seismic gap for the isolation system as key technical challenges. Springs or dampers have been suggested as an approach to cushion the impact when extreme deformation causes the gap to close.
To address the problem, project team will design, analyze and test a passive device to be used with a base isolation system that will control isolator displacement demands resulting from very rare earthquakes. The proposed “gap damper” combines an energy dissipation device with a gap element that triggers additional damping when a threshold displacement demand is reached. This added damping will slow down the 335
building and prevent damaging collisions with the outer moat wall. Unlike traditional supplemental damping, the proposed approach will not affect responses at low to medium intensity shaking, allowing for optimal performance in a frequent, design, or very rare earthquake. The gap damper device will be developed at Auburn University, and then tested with a multi-story isolated steel frame at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY13 – Q1: Site manager continues to communicate with project team about test schedule as well as interacting with them to ensure a viable experimental test plan.
FY13 – Q2: Site manager along with lab point-of-contact met with project PI and her team to confirm project scope and obtain conceptual details about test setup. As a result, the site developed a schedule for the project and compared it with the duration originally allocated to the project. These are necessary steps to ensure that the site is meeting its obligation without compromising project scope.
Project 8 – Saiidi (University of Nevada, Reno) NSF-NEESR, CMMI - 0420347
NEESR-SG; Seismic Performance of Bridge Systems with Conventional and Innovative Materials Project Description Intellectual Merit: The primary technical objective of the proposed study is to conduct a comprehensive investigation of the seismic performance of a series of models of four-span large-scale bridge systems including the soil-structure interaction effects at the footings and the abutments. A strong interdisciplinary team of researchers is formed to lead the effort in the study of the shake table response of bridge models, soil-structure interaction, numerical simulation, innovative materials, and wireless sensors with an overarching effort in education and outreach and utilization of information technology. Two leading international collaborators and representatives from the design profession will be also involved. Through the use of NEESgrid system and its tools, the team members and their students will closely collaborate in his 336 multi-faceted study. Extensive numerical and physical simulation studies are envisioned, with the former using program OpenSees and the latter using the NEES shake table facilities at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). A large-scale abutment will be tested at UCSD and four, large-scale, 4-span bridge models will be tested at UNR. The UCSD studies will provide data that will be used in simulating the abutment input motion in the UNR tests. Two of the bridge models will incorporate conventional design, the third will be supported on fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite piers, and the fourth will incorporate innovative column plastic hinges with minimum permanent damage. The major gap that the proposed study will address is experimental data and calibrated analytical studies of the earthquake performance of bridge systems. Unlike past studies that have generally been on components, the proposed research will include system response in addition to component behavior. Modern wireless sensors will be further developed as a part of this project and used in the shake table studies. The results of the study are expected to facilitate the evaluation of existing and emerging bridge seismic codes, provide information for performance-based seismic design, help understand the system response, determine the effectiveness of FRP piers, evaluate potential of wireless sensors in large-scale testing, and demonstrate the feasibility of innovative serviceable bridge columns after strong earthquakes. New data and metadata models are envisioned to facilitate incorporation of the new information obtained in the project in the data repository planned by the NEES Consortium.
Broader Impact: The broader impact of the proposed project will consist of its strong educational thrust and it overall societal impact. Through the new knowledge generated as a results of this project in multiple forms, the study will (1) directly train post-doctoral fellows, graduate students, and undergraduate students at several universities using the latest state-of-the-art technology in earthquake engineering research and information technology,(2) educate K-12 students, teachers, and the public about bridge earthquake engineering, (3) integrate teaching and research at introductory and advanced college courses, (4) develop teaching modules for high schools, (5) develop an interactive website, (6) improve basic understanding of the societal role of earthquake engineers, and (7) motivate K-12 students to increase the likelihood of all talented students, women, minorities, and others to seriously consider earthquake engineering as a profession. The overall societal impact of the proposed project will be (a)training of skilled earthquake engineers with state- of-the-art NEES equipment to improve the human resource pool, (b) improving public understanding and perception of the critical role of earthquake engineering in the society, (c)generating verified information based on research conducted by a strong team of multidisciplinary researchers from several US and two overseas universities,(d) providing impetus for reliable implementation of performance-based design of new and retrofit of existing bridges in design codes to ensure safe bridges and to reduce economic loss in future strong earthquakes, (e)increasing the awareness of the earthquake engineers about innovative materials and their potential to keep bridges operational even after strong earthquakes, (f)improving global understanding by interaction and international exchange opportunities provided by this project with international collaborators, and (g)providing opportunities for several potential payload projects that could further enhance the growth of a number of high caliber faculty, several of whom are recipients of past NSF Career or other awards.
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Project Progress
Activity Narrative FY13 Q1: Experimental activities associated with this NSF-supported project are divided into three phases. Phase I focuses on testing 37 small beams (22 beams with dimensions 5' x 5"" x 12"" and 15 beams with dimensions 6""x1""x1""). This phase will not use any NEES shake tables. Instead, it will use non-NEES hydraulic ram and DAQ. It requires minimal support and can run parallel with other existing projects with no significant impact on site overall schedule. FY13 activities for this project focus on completing phase I and planning for phase II, which focuses on testing four column models using one biaxial shake table and uniaxial mass rig. Phase III focuses on testing one three-span bridge model using three biaxial tables and two abutment actuators. Phases II and III are scheduled in FY14. In Q1, the site tested 14 beams after changing the setup twice due the unexpected higher strength of the beams. The NEEScomm shared tool, the Krypton, is being used for this project. Testing of the remaining beams resumes when staff support is not needed for the grand challenge project.
FY13 Q2: The site tested all remaining beams and made the data available to the project team thus marking the end of phase I. Meanwhile, site manger along with lab point-of-contact met with project PI to confirm the scope of phase II. The site, then, developed a project schedule and compared it with the duration originally allocated for the project.
338 Site Readiness Narratives Site Safety Task FY 2012 – Q4 FY 2013 – Q1 FY 2012 – Q2 Last Revision of Safety Plan 09/15/2012 09/015/2012 09/15/2012 Reportable Injuries 0 0 0
Injury Narrative: FY13 – Q1: Experimental activities associated with this NSF-supported project are divided into three phases. Phase I focuses on testing 37 small beams (22 beams with dimensions 5' x 5"" x 12"" and 15 beams with dimensions 6""x1""x1""). This phase will not use any NEES shake tables. Instead, it will use non-NEES hydraulic ram and DAQ. It requires minimal support and can run parallel with other existing projects with no significant impact on site overall schedule. FY13 activities for this project focus on completing phase I and planning for phase II, which focuses on testing four column models using one biaxial shake table and uniaxial mass rig. Phase III focuses on testing one three-span bridge model using three biaxial tables and two abutment actuators. Phases II and III are scheduled in FY14. In Q1, the site tested 14 beams after changing the setup twice due the unexpected higher strength of the beams. The NEEScomm shared tool, the Krypton, is being used for this project. Testing of the remaining beams resumes when staff support is not needed for the grand challenge project.
FY13 – Q2: The site tested all remaining beams and made the data available to the project team thus marking the end of phase I. Meanwhile, site manger along with lab point-of-contact met with project PI to confirm the scope of phase II. The site, then, developed a project schedule and compared it with the duration originally allocated for the project.
PMCR Progress FY 2012:
339
FY 2013:
For FY12, NEES@UNR completed 100% of activities associated with PMCR. For fiscal year 2013, the facility has completed 42% of the average PMCR, which is little less than expected since 50% of the fiscal year has passed. It is anticipated that the facility will complete all PMCR activities outlined in the annual work plan.
PMCR Activity Narrative FY12 – Q4: Maintenance Periodic preventative maintenance and calibration of the four shake tables is conducted by MTS under MTS- NEEScomm cooperative agreement. In addition to planning and designing the maintenance and calibration activities with MTS, site staff supports MTS personnel with onsite work. There are four maintenance and calibration visits scheduled in FY12. In addition to the routine PM activities in FY12, the site is planning on replacing the biaxial shake table controller processor as described in AWP. Q1: Minor PM for the forklifts. Q2: MTS PM of the shake tables is planned in Q3, when all tables are available. Meanwhile, T3 bearing oil flow sensors showed more oil flowing through the bearings than the normal. The site acquired an inexpensive tool by which shake table bearings can be visually inspected without disassembling. This tool should significantly reduce the amount of time spent to inspect the bearing. T3 will be inspected in Q3. Q3: MTS conducted PM of all shake tables and calibration of all biaxial tables in two separate visits. Meanwhile, calibration of the fourth table has been delayed till August to ensure no interruptions and to accommodate Sri’s project tight schedule. Site staff examined the bearings of table 3 and made some repairs. Also, site staff replaced servo valves on the biaxial tables as recommended by MTS. Q4: MTS conducted PM and calibration of the fourth table in September thus concluding all PM &C activities related to the shake tables and the hydraulic system. Meanwhile, the site replaced the shake table controller processor as described in the AWP.
340 Calibration The following are the planned calibration activities for FY12: 1) Install APS Calibration Table Vertical Kit: 2) Acquire Kinemetrics Tilt Table: 3) Perform in-house calibration of every sensor in facility inventory. 4) Perform in-house calibration of National Instrument (NI) data acquisition cards and conditioners. 5) Participate in Inter Laboratory Comparison (Round Robin) Calibration Exercise, if conducted. Q1: The site performed calibration of one 200-kip load cell for to be used for Dusicka project at NEES@UC- Berkeley. The yearly calibration of all sensors and NI conditioners is normally performed in Q4. Q2: Calibration of the shake tables are planned for Q3. The site is also planning on calibrating all sensors in Q3 (instead of Q4 as planned) before the first test of the grand challenge project. Site acquired the APS calibration table vertical kit, however, it has not been installed yet. Q3: The site installed the APS calibration table vertical kit in preparation to calibrate all accelerometers in site’s inventory. The site has elected to design and fabricate a tilt table instead of acquiring one from Kinemetrics. This will allow more flexibility without compromising the quality or calibration records. A design has been completed. Fabrication will start in Q4. Due to the delay imposed by Sri’s project, in-house calibration of all sensors has been rescheduled to Q4 before the start of the grand challenge project. Q4: The site completed the fabrication of the tilt table. Furthermore, the site completed the in-house calibration of all sensors and DAQ conditioners before they were used on the GC-Maragakis project. This completes all calibration activities planned for FY12.
Repair Routine repair activities planned for FY12 include minor repairs to equipment, hardware and instrumentation if required. Q1: Minor repair to one forklift. Q2: Minor repairs to instruments. Q3: Site staff replaced few seals in table three. Q4: Minor repairs to instruments and load cells.
FY13 – Q1: Maintenance Periodic preventative maintenance and calibration of the four shake tables is conducted by MTS under MTS- NEEScomm cooperative agreement. In addition to planning and designing the maintenance and calibration activities with MTS, site staff supports MTS personnel with onsite work. There are four maintenance and calibration visits scheduled in FY13. In addition to the routine PM activities in FY13, the site is planning on: 1. Conducting forklift maintenance 2. Modifying shake table proximity sensors Q1: Minor PM activities of the forklifts.
Calibration The following are the planned calibration activities for FY13: 1) Calibrate all standards using the services of a third party. 2) Modify some of the existing calibration components: (a) Modify current instrument mounts on our calibration machines; and (b) Modify one conditioner to significantly improve strain block calibrations. 3) Replace APS Air Table Amplifier 4) Acquire One Accelerometer Standard 5) Perform in-house calibration of every sensor in facility inventory. 341
6) Perform in-house calibration of National Instrument (NI) data acquisition cards and conditioners. 7). Participate in Inter Laboratory Comparison (Round Robin) Calibration Exercise, if conducted. Q1: Activities in Q1 focused on verifying and preparing the newly acquired string pots, accelerometers and load cells (attach and program the TEDs).
Repair "Routine repair activities planned for FY13 include minor repairs to equipment, sensors and DAQ conditioners. Q1: Minor repair to sensors.
FY13 – Q2: Maintenance Q2: Due to the intense experimental activities associated with the grand challenge and the unavailability of the shake tables, the site with coordination with MTS, elected to defer MTS PMC visits to Q3 and Q4. Meanwhile, the site carried out limited maintenance for the forklifts. Modification of the shake table proximity sensors is planned during the relocation of the tables to the new building.
Calibration Q2: The site completed the modification of the existing instrument mounts on the calibration machine as well as the conditioner used for strain block calibration. The site also investigated the appropriate APS amplifier placed an order with the manufacturer. All other activities are deferred to Q3 and Q4.
Repair Q2: Minor repair to sensors damaged during the GC experiments and some tools.
Network Requirements
EOT
EOT Category Fiscal Year and Quarter FY12 / Q4 FY13 / Q1 FY13 / Q2 Total Number of NEES Events 19 13 15 Total Number of Participants 410 229 343 Total Number of Events Engaging Practitioners 1 1 3 Total Number of Engaged Practitioners 1 3 17
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Capacity Building and Network Initiatives Progress FY 2012
FY 2013
For FY12, NEES@UNR completed 100% of the activities associated with Capacity Building and 100% of Network Initiatives. For fiscal year 2013, the facility is on track for what is expected (50% of the fiscal year passed) and it is anticipated that the facility will complete all CBI and Network initiatives activities outline in the annual work plan.
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Capacity Building and Network Initiative Activity Narrative Facility Enhancements:
FY2012 – Q4: Planned Facility Enhancements for FY12 included the following: (I) Safety Enhancement: a) Modify Biaxial Shake Table Stairs b) Modify the Mezzanine of 6dof Shake Table c) Install Pump house/Basement Cameras (II) Efficiency Enhancement: a) Build Three Modular Instrumentation Reference Frames: Q1: Activities associated with the above mentioned tasks have not started yet. Q2: Conceptual designs for items 1a and 1b above have been generated. Final design and implementation is planned for Q4. Meanwhile, site acquired one camera (1c) to test connectivity, resolution and compatibility before full implementation of the camera system which is planned for Q3. Also, the site built a prototype instrument frame to insure stability before full implementation. It is planned to have two frames ready for the grand challenge project. Q3: The site completed items Ib, Ic and IIa in Q3. Fabrication of the necessary members for Ia is undergoing. Full implementation is expected in Q4. Q4: The site completed item Ia, thus marking the completion of all planned CBI activities for FY12.
FY2013 – Q1: Planned Facility Enhancements for FY13 included the following:
(I) Safety Enhancement: a) Acquire modular cable protection pads b) Acquire one crane fork (II) Efficiency Enhancement: a) Acquire/fabricate three instrument cable racks b) Acquire new strain gage blocks (III) Capacity Enhancement: a) Replace the bridge controller b) Acquire IMU devices Q1: Acquisition of the modular cable protection pads and the design for the instruments cable racks have started in Q1 but not yet completed.
Q2: Completed the acquisition of the crane fork, fabrication of three instrument cable racks and replaced the bridge controller.
IT Community Activities: FY2012 – Q4: Community IT Support activity planned for FY12 focuses on a project ""Column Crack Visualization and Analysis,"" which was originally planned for FY11. However, since the IT manager at UNR was out on a medical leave for an extended period of time in FY11, site management re-allocated the available IT resources to other projects and this project never started. Activities related to this project have been discussed with NEEScomm in FY11 and a preliminary approval was obtained. Additional activities include Site IT Manager to continue to work with NEEScomm to provide bug reports and wish lists for IT tools.
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Q1: Site IT Manager debugged the PEN tool with Greg Rogers. Q2: Site IT Manager, Rodney Porter, became ill early January and has not yet returned to work. As a result, the site was unable to continue working on planned Community IT Activities. Meanwhile, the site hired Jennifer Knowles as temporary part-time Systems Administrator to assist the site in executing some of the planned IT activities. Ms. Knowles was invited by Dawn Weismann to receive training on NEEScomm IT tools in March. The training camp was sponsored by NEEScomm. Q3: Ms. Knowles focused on maintaining site's cyber infrastructure and thus little effort went into the planned community IT activity. Meanwhile, the site completed NEEScomm cyber security audit. Q4: Site IT, Ms. Knowles elected to pursue another job opportunity and resigned from her position as IT manager. The site immediately started to recruit for a replacement. Meanwhile, site manager with assistance from central IT addressed the findings raised by the cybersecurity audit.
FY2012 – Q1: Community IT Support activities planned for FY13 include: 1) Enhance and improve Data Video Viewer (DVV) 2) Support NEEScomm IT in testing and debugging new and existing tools. 3) Make the UNR-developed Data Utility available on NEEShub to be used by other NEES sites Q1: Site manager is aggressively recruiting to fill the IT Manager position. Activities associated with the community IT support will start once an IT manager is hired.
FY 2012 – Q2: Q2: Site manager is aggressively recruiting to fill the IT Manager position. However, until then, site manager is working on hiring temp workers as contractors to fulfill site obligations. In order to maximize the benefits, site manager will consult with NEEScomm IT to either continue the activities as described in the AWP or re- scope them.
Network EOT: FY2012 – Q4: Site management believes in the impact of network EOT activities and their significance to the success of the network. However, due to limited resources, the management elected to participate in these activities through supplements. Q1: The site is working on submitting a request for site supplemental funding for network EOT to be submitted in Q2 to NEEScomm. Q2: The site was successful in obtaining supplemental funding for network EOT. The proposed activities focused on improving existing shake table exhibit, adding an interactive earthquake activity, and hosting a seismic design competition at the Reno discovery museum. Q3: The site participated in NEESreu 2012 program and was awarded three NEESreu and two NSF undergraduate students. All students received safety orientation and training on site policies. In addition to the NEES planned activities, several cohort activities including a trip to NEES@UC-Davis and NEES@UC- Berkeley were implemented in their schedule. Q4: The site successfully concluded the NEESreu 2012 program. Meanwhile, site EOT is working with NEEScomm as well as EOT personnel at other sites to submit papers to the upcoming ASEE conference describing successful EOT activities.
FY2013 – Q1: Site manager believes in the impact of other network EOT activities and their significance to the success of the network. However, due to limited resources, he elected to participate in these activities through supplements. Q1: The site submitted a request for site supplemental funding for network EOT in collaboration with NEES@UC-Davis. Furthermore, the site submitted a proposal to participate in NEESreu 2013 program and is 345
looking forward to host two students during the summer of 2013. FY2013 – Q2: Q2: The site received notification of award for EOT supplemental funding to enhance K-12 seismic design competition during which the site will collaborate with NEES@UC-Davis. In addition, site EOT coordinator travelled to Washington DC to assist NEES@OSU EOT coordinator representing NEES at The Discovery Engineering Family Day held in Washington DC on February 16. Furthermore, site EOT coordinator collaborated with members of other sites to publish a paper at the upcoming 2013 ASEE meeting in Atlanta, Georgia. The paper title is “Using Educational “Hands-On” Experiential Tools to Introduce Math, Science, and Engineering Concepts to K-16 Students (Research to Practice).” As the lead author, site EOT coordinator was in charge of preparing and submitting the first draft, coordinating the response to reviewers' comments, and submitting the final version.
Network Resource Sharing: FY2012 – Q4: "‘NEES@UNR is to make non-NEES load cells available to NEES@UC-Berkeley to be used for NEESR – II, “Toward Rapid Return to Occupancy in Unbraced Steel Frames.” Activities in this task focus on modifying and calibrating the load cells and hand delivering them to NEES@UC-Berkeley to ensure proper functionality. NEES@UNR will retrieve the load cells after concluding the experimental activities of the project. Q1: The site modified and calibrated only one 200-kip load cell based on NEES@UC-Berkeley request. The load cell was hand delivered on Dec 20 along with all calibration factors. Site staff is planning on attending the experiment during which the load cell is being used to provide any assistance to NEES@UC-Berkeley staff. Although was not originally planned and was not included in AWP, the site is planning on utilizing NEEScomm newly acquired Shared Network Tool (Krypton System) in the Curved-Bridge project (P1). The site negotiated with NEES@UC-Berkeley where the system was being used and an agreement was reached. NEES@UNR will use the tool from Dec 20 to Jan 7. Q2: No significant activities. Site manager continues to communicate with NEES@UC-Berkeley to provide support (if needed) with respect to the load cell. Q3: Site received one load cell from NEES@UMN to be used for Sri's project. Meanwhile, site manager continues to communicate with NEES@UC-Berkeley to provide support (if needed) with respect to the load cell. Q4: Site coordinated with NEES@UC-Berkeley to receive the NEES Krypton system for Sri's project.
FY2013 Q1: Q1: Site manager continues to communicate with NEES@UC-Berkeley to provide support (if needed) with respect to the load cell. Meanwhile, site received and is using the NEEScomm shared tool (Krypton) for NSF- supported project, PI Saiidi, (P5).
FY2013 Q2: Site manager continues to communicate with NEES@UC-Berkeley to provide support (if needed) with respect to the load cell. In addition, site manager delivered the NEEScomm Krypton system to NEES@UC-Berkeley. Meanwhile, site manager put in a request to get the Krypton back in time for Sri’s project.
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Annualized Equipment Maintenance 2012 Q4: NEES@UNR AEM is divided into two parts. The first part is intended for the replacement of NEES servers, local data storage servers, visualization hardware, VTC software over 5-year period in addition to the replacement of IT related materials and supplies. The site usually assesses the overall condition and performance of all servers and video systems on a yearly basis. Based on this assessment, the site decides on the action plan; whether to replace all servers or components ($9,733). The second part is intended to replace key DAQ components and sensors over the years. Some of this cost is shared with active projects and other resources at the site ($5,263). Q1: No activities to report Q2: No activities to report Q3: No activities to report Q4: The site replaced the bridge controller of the data acquisition.
2013: "NEES@UNR AEM is divided into two parts. The first part is intended for the replacement of NEES servers, local data storage servers, visualization hardware, VTC software over 5-year period in addition to the replacement of IT related materials and supplies. The site usually assesses the overall condition and performance of all servers and video systems on a yearly basis. Based on this assessment, the site decides on the action plan; whether to replace all servers or components ($9,733). The second part is intended to replace key DAQ components and sensors over the years. Some of this cost is shared with active projects and other resources at the site ($5,263).
Q1: The site replaced some old cameras as well the recording system.
Q2: No activities to report from FY13 AEM."
Supplemental Awards and Major Equipment Repair Narrative: Design and fabricate a modular safety system consisting of two steel portal frames. This supplement was awarded in FY12. The site completed the design phase in FY12 and requested a carry forward to FY13 to start the fabrication phase. To date, the site has not received approval on the carry forward and thus no activities to report.
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Appendix 1: Network Curriculum Vitae
NEES Network CVs
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