Title: Bringing Current Research to the Classroom Using Linked Column Framed System in an Undergraduate Structures Lab
Abstract: Abstract Research Results to undergraduate civil engineering classroom via a design project and hands onlaboratory modelsRupa Purasinghe, Peter Dusicka, Jeff Berman, Edd Bautissa, and Michel NoddingsThe objective of this paper is to demonstrate how NSF/Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation(NEES) funded research project on performance based structural design for earthquake loading wasbrought to civil engineering undergraduate classroom at a predominantly undergraduate institutionthrough a design project, hands on models and experimentation on a small instructional shake table.The NSF/NEES funded research project focuses on the development of a new structural steel systemthat is free of diagonal bracings and capable of rapid return to occupancy after a seismic event. Thelateral system referred to as Linked Column Framed (LCF) system and consists of dual columns withreplaceable link beams and a secondary moment frame. The inelastic behavior of the system is providedby having the links yield primarily in shear under predetermined levels of lateral demands. This protectsthe columns and beams that carry the gravity loads. Then the rapid return to occupancy is achieved byreplacing the damaged links. To demonstrate the viability of the system, a large scale seismic testing willbe conducted at a NEES Laboratory following extensive modeling and component testing.This research was brought to junior level structural analysis, design and experimentation classroom atCal State LA with a i) design project, ii) scaled demonstration models developed by students using vinylmaterials for the gravity members and metal clips for the yielding links and iii) structural testing ofscaled down models on a small instructional shake table due to earthquake records. The design projectintroduces the LCF system as an alternative to moment frame as a lateral load carrying system in atypical multistory building. The student built scaled down structural models of the LCF system (madewith vinyl members as beams and columns and paper clips as replaceable links is used as aninstructional tool to explain the concepts of ductility in general and the mechanism behind the newseismic resisting system. These models were used on a small instructional shake table excited byearthquake records. The tests demonstrate how the structure deforms at weak links (paper clips of themodels), while retaining the gravity load carrying capacity of the frames.Students are able to grasp the concepts of a new lateral load resisting system (Linked Column Frame),and learn to understand inelastic response caused by seismic shaking. Through the multistory buildingdesign project undergraduate students see the big picture of how a new lateral load resisting system isused as an alternative lateral load carrying system. The final paper will document details of the courseas well as the course assessments conducted.