No methods exist worldwide to test major buildings, in-place and as constructed, to earthquake motion-time histories up to and including damage and collapse levels. Testing complete civil structures at significant earthquake levels can provide much needed information for protection against building failures, and in turn can improve human security and safety. Phase I research is to find the feasibility and validity of simulating motions on a sizable structure by using cold gas pulse generators that duplicate strong motion earthquakes. Phase II will be devoted to experiments and research on high pressure steam pulse generators for repetitive pulses with thrusts from 50,000 to 75,000 lbf. Operational features of portability and ease of set-up and operation remain as requirements in spite of the high pressures, high temperature, and surge suppression, and these must be accommodated. Two units will be built, and research and experiments on these units will be made in order to generate the required operating characteristics. Phase 11 will continue developing the cold gas apparatus (rated at 10,000 lbo for operational use. Studies will be made for application to small buildings, large equipments, piping systems, open-frame structures, and power distribution centers.The potential commercial application as described by the awardee: The proposed research has potential commercial applications, such as (1) testing of structures with loadings up to the damage levels, and (2) proof tests of critical structures, as imposed by regulatory agencies. Use is expected by industry, universities, and local and regional governments in all seismic areas of the world. Agbabian Associates is an engineering consulting firm specializing in analysis and experiments in earthquake engineering.
