Non-Emulative Precast Concrete Structures with Supplemental Passive Energy Dissipation project page

The broad objective of the research program is to investigate the use of supplemental passive energy dissipation in "non-emulative" precast concrete wall and frame building structures. Traditionally, precast structures in seismic regions have been designed to emulate the behavior of monolithic cast-in-place concrete structures, largely because of limited knowledge about their seismic behavior. In recent years, the precast concrete industry has emphasized structures which do not emulate monolithic cast-in-place concrete structures because of their economy, construction simplicity, and desirable seismic characteristics such as self-centering capability and an ability to undergo "large" nonlinear displacements with little permanent damage. The greatest disadvantage of non-emulative precast concrete structures in seismic regions is an increase in lateral displacements as a result of small inelastic energy dissipation. It is possible to reduce these displacements by using supplemental passive energy dissipation, without losing the desirable characteristics of the structures. The research addresses this issue.

The research is conducting a fundamental, integrated analytical and experimental investigation and assessment of non-emulative precast concrete structures with supplemental energy dissipation to achieve the following four specific objectives: (1) to investigate the use of passive energy dissipation systems which have been previously developed for monolithic cast-in-place concrete structures in non-emulative precast structures; (2) to develop new passive energy dissipation systems which take advantage of the unique characteristics of non-emulative precast structures; (3) to develop seismic analysis methods and tools for non-emulative precast structures with supplemental passive energy dissipation; and (4) to develop seismic design and analysis guidelines and recommendations for non-emulative precast structures with supplemental passive energy dissipation. The project started in June 1999.

The research has the potential to have a strong impact on both the precast concrete industry and the passive energy dissipation industry. Successful completion of the research will provide the background needed for the use of supplemental passive energy dissipation in a new and promising type of precast system which has received extensive interest and support from the precast concrete industry. This knowledge will allow for more effective use of precast concrete structures in seismic regions.

Research Team

Faculty Supervisor: Yahya Kurama
Graduate Research Assistants: Brian Morgen (Ph.D. student), Hua Jiang (Ph.D. student)
Udergraduate Students: Matthew Horney (B.S.C.E. expected 2002), Stephen Wolf (B.S.C.E expected 2002), Brian Smith (B.S.C.E 2001)

Publications and Presentations

Kurama, Y., "Performance-Based Seismic Design of Non-Emulative Precast Concrete Walls with Friction Dampers," Second U.S.-Japan Workshop on Performance Based Seismic Design Methodology for Concrete Buildings, Sapporo, Japan, September 12-13, 2000, 12 pp.
Kurama, Y., "Hybrid Precast Walls for Seismic Regions," submitted to PCI Journal, Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, November 2001.
Kurama, Y., "Simplified Seismic Design Approach for Friction-Damped Unbonded Post-Tensioned Precast Walls," ACI Structural Journal, American Concrete Institute, Vol. 98, No. 5, September-October 2001, pp. 705-716.
Kurama, Y., "Seismic Design of Unbonded Post-Tensioned Precast Walls with Supplemental Viscous Damping," ACI Structural Journal, American Concrete Institute, Vol. 97, No. 4, July-August 2000, pp. 648-658.
Kurama, Y., "Unbonded Post-Tensioned Precast Walls with Supplemental Viscous Damping," International Workshop on Seismic Isolation, Energy Dissipation, and Control of Structures, Guangzhou, China, May 6-8, 1999, pp. 213-220.

Acknowledgments

The project is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. CMS 98-74872 as part of the 1999 CAREER Program. The support of the NSF Program Directors Dr. Shih C. Liu and Dr. Peter Chang is gratefully acknowledged. The opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NSF or Dr. Liu acknowledged above.