Project Title:Leveraging NEESR Tsunami Research – Wave Loading on Residential Structures with Earthquake and Hurricane Applications
Personnel: Dr. John van de Lindt (PI, faculty mentor, Colorado State University; Dr. Rakesh Gupta (Co-PI, faculty mentor), Oregon State University; Rachel Garcia (Graduate Student), Colorado State University; Jebediah Wilson (Graduate Student), Oregon State University.
Abstract: The NEES@OSU tsunami wave basin allows for the very unique opportunity to perform experiments that will provide one-of-a-kind data for residential structures subject to wave loading. This payload project will provide one-of-a-kind data for residential structures – specifically: structural engineering design, system analysis, coastal risk assessment, and decision-making in support of public policy within the NEES data repository. The project presents an opportunity to gain insight into a complex fluid/structure interaction problem that has extensive multi-disciplinary (e.g. engineering and decision-making/policy) applications and directly affects millions of structures, and families, in coastal regions of the U.S.The investigators will be performing wave tests on one-sixth scale structural models representative low rise woodframe structures. Residential structures, typically woodframe in the U.S., are built in close proximity to the shoreline with this near-shore population increasing significantly each year.The structures are being prefabricated, much like track-style construction, and shipped to OSU where they will be assembled. The shearwalls, roof trusses, and connections have all been scaled to be compliant rather than rigid like most wave basin models. Approximately 4 to 6 models will be constructed since they are expected to be destroyed by the larger waves during some of the tests.

 

The REU student will be responsible for:

  • Assisting in construction and assembly of the 1/6 scale models of coastal houses
  • Installation of the models in the wave tank
  • Instrumentation
  • Trial data acquisition