SSEF Research Grant Recipient

Carlos E. Ventura
Professor

University of British Columbia
Department of Civil Engineering

2011 2007 2004 2001 1999 1998

2011

Tension-Only Brace System for Earthquake Resistance of Low Rise Buildings: Shake Table Testing
(In collaboration with Mr. Dejan Erdevicki, P.Engn, Struct. Eng., MIStructE, Erdevicki Structural Engineering, Vancouver B.C.)

Carlos Ventura received the H. A. Krentz Award for this top-ranked research topic in 2011.

The objective of this research is to conduct shake table tests to investigate the behaviour and improve the suitability of a tension-only brace system as a lateral load resisting system for low-rise buildings in high risk seismic zones. The seismic adequacy of a modified version of the traditional brace system will be investigated and evaluated.

A modified tension-only bracing system, proposed by Mr. Dejan Erdevicki, consists of a set of tension braces connected by a ring at the centre. The connection and frame force demand of this modified system is limited to a narrowly specified value, thereby allowing greater design efficiency of braced frames in high seismic zones.

The scope of this project includes the evaluation of static cyclic tests (already completed), the dynamic testing of the braced frames with conventional and modified brace systems under a variety of measured earthquake loading, and analytical modelling of the braced frames using commercially available analysis programs. The research will lead to recommendations in the design of tension-only brace frames.

Years: 1998, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2011

Biography:
Dr. Carlos Ventura is currently the Director of the Earthquake Engineering Research Facility at UBC and has more than 30 years of experience as a structural engineer.

Dr. Ventura's areas of research are in Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering. He has done extensive experimental and analytical research on the seismic response of civil engineering structures. He has conducted extensive analyses of the response of instrumented structures, including some of the tallest steel frame buildings in Los Angeles and has developed various software packages for signal analysis and structural dynamics. He has been conducting shake table testing studies for more than twelve years. Some of these tests include tests of steel plate shear walls and slotted braced frames. Dr. Ventura has written over 300 technical papers and reports related to the seismic behaviour of structures.

Link: Professor Ventura

Carlos Ventura is the recipient of the H.A. Krentz Award for having the top ranked research topic for the 2011 Grant Competition. A gift of $5000 is given as part of this notable award.

To watch the presentation of the H.A. Krentz award to Dr. Ventura click here.

Steel Structures Education Foundation

SSEF Research Grant Recipient

2011