These experimental research tests at Berkeley are part of the NEES small group project “International Hybrid Simulation of Tomorrow's Steel Braced Frames.” The overall project team includes researchers from the US, Japan and Taiwan, as well as affiliated researchers from Canada. The research utilizes the NEES facilities at the University of California, Berkeley, the University of Minnesota and the NCREE Laboratory in Taiwan. The major objective is to use advanced hybrid simulation research methods and international, cooperative investigation to develop performance-based tools and techniques for advanced seismic engineering of steel braced frame systems. The research work at the Berkeley site is directly supervised by Professor Stephen Mahin. The test program consists of:
Testing nearly full-scale planar specimens of steel concentrically braced frames (including SCBF, BRBF, and innovative braced frame systems). At least five experiments are planned.
Testing full-scale bracing components.
Developing and validating hybrid simulation techniques for geographically distributed hybrid simulations of steel braced frame building structures.