PEER Reports

The three-dimensional (3D) beam-truss model (BTM) for reinforced concrete (RC) walls, which was developed by the first two authors in a previously published paper, is modified to better represent flexure-shear interaction and more accurately compute diagonal shear failures under static cyclic or dynamic loading. The modifications pertain to the element formulations and the determination of the inclination angle of the diagonal elements. Moreover the BTM is extended to allow the simulation of RC slabs. The modified BTM is validated using the experimental test data of eight RC walls...

Performance-based earthquake engineering (PBEE) is based on the premise that the performance of engineered facilities can be predicted and evaluated with sufficient degree of confidence. However, prediction of system response greatly depends on the analyst’s experience and modeling skills. Therefore, the uncertainty with which the engineering community can predict response of a system or one of its components should be realistically quantified in PBEE. A blind prediction contest of a full-scale reinforced-concrete bridge column exposed to six consecutive unidirectional ground motions of...

Since the dynamic response of an isolated structure depends on the combined characteristics of the ground motion, bearings, and structure, standard isolator prototype component tests may not by themselves be sufficient to assess seismic performance and verify the adequacy of numerical models used for computer simulation. Thus, when assessing the applicability of seismic isolation to nuclear power facilities, tests that simulate dynamic response under realistic excitations are desired. However, available shaking tables have limits on the size, strength, and weight of the specimens they can...

This study presents an innovative bridge column technology for application in seismic regions. The proposed technology combines a precast, post-tensioned, composite steel–concrete, hollow-core column with supplemental energy dissipation, in such way to reduce on-site construction burdens and minimize earthquake-induced residual deformations, damage, and associated repair costs. The column consists of two steel cylindrical shells, with high-performance concrete cast in between. Both shells act as permanent formwork. The outer shell substitutes the longitudinal and transverse reinforcement,...