Keri Ryan is the E.W. McKenzie Foundation Endowed Professor at the University of Nevada, Reno. She specializes in earthquake engineering and protective systems for high seismic performance, with application to buildings and bridges. She was the PI of the U.S. National Science Foundation funded “Tools for Isolation and Protective Systems” (or TIPS) project to address impediments to the wider application of seismic isolation systems, during which she observed firsthand the performance issues related to nonstructural components. She has been collaborating with the NHERI Tallwood team since 2016 to develop and validate a resilience-based design methodology for a new class of structural systems using mass timber rocking wall systems that considers the important contributions of nonstructural components.
To advance the wood products market, new design solutions for tall wood buildings using mass timber products are being developed. In particular, post-tensioned rocking walls built with cross-laminated timber (CLT) or other mass timber products have been proposed as a seismic resilient lateral system. To advance the seismically resilient mass timber solutions for tall buildings, a comprehensive shake table test program of a 10-story building with mass timber rocking walls is underway. Construction and testing is taking place on the NHERI@UC San Diego outdoor shaking table. An essential aspect of building resilience is assurance that nonstructural components sustain minimal damage or are easily repairable. The vertically-distributed drift-sensitive components such as nonstructural walls and stair towers are expected to be among the most vulnerable components. To support rapid resumption of building operation, these components should be designed to accommodate the drift in the main structural system with minimal damage.
Following on Professor Pei’s presentation, this presentation will provide an overview of nonstructural subassemblies planned for inclusion in the upcoming test. Nonstructural wall installation is currently underway and photos tracking the progress will be shared.