Activities

I. Characterization of Structural Walls

Investigation of the fundamental mechanisms and limits of dependable web crushing failures in HSC structural walls with confined boundaries for ductile shear response through pseudo-static tests on 1/4-scale walls with concrete strengths of 5, 10, 15, and 20 ksi.

II. Characterization of Wall Assemblies

Investigation of the three-dimensional behavioral mechanisms and the web-crushing performance limits of structural wall systems in the context of a hollow pier through multi-axial pseudo-static tests on two 1/4-scale HSC wall-assembly test units.

III. Predictive and Diagnostic Analyses

Development, calibration, and validation of 3D non-linear finite element analyses for robust predictive and assessment models for HSC structural walls with boundary elements to establish strain limits in coordination with the experimental effort.

IV. Assessment and Design Tools

Development and calibration of improved phenomenological fiber-based models to serve as rational and simple assessment tools for the design of HSC structural walls under seismic demands with reliable ductile shear failure modes in accordance with performance-based objectives.