Development and Validation of a Numerical Model for Suspended-Ceiling Systems with Acoustic Tiles
Publication: Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 22, Issue 3
Abstract
Nonstructural systems are responsible for the majority of national loss suffered during earthquakes, and suspended ceilings with acoustic lay-in tiles are among the most significant—and most vulnerable—of these nonstructural systems. Expensive full-scale experimental shake table tests are generally preferred over mathematical modeling techniques for simulating the seismic performance of these suspended-ceiling systems. Because of this traditional reliance on shake table testing, there is currently no experimentally validated finite-element model of suspended-ceiling systems. This paper addresses this crucial knowledge gap by introducing the first experimentally validated computer simulation of suspended-ceiling systems and by establishing a modeling methodology for future numerical studies. This study is the first to use finite-element modeling for a heterogeneous system (in this case, ceilings composed of loose components). This project aimed to develop (1) the feasibility of combining finite-element modeling of suspended-ceiling systems with current seismic simulation tools; (2) a system for validating the numerical model of the suspended ceiling with system-level shake table tests; and (3) the possibility of using the validated numerical model as a substitute for expensive shake table tests.
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Acknowledgments
Armstrong World Industries provided all of the technical details for the benchmark ceiling system components. The Structural Engineering and Earthquake Simulation Laboratory (SEESL) at the University at Buffalo provided all of the sensor data acquisitions of the benchmark shake table tests. These supports are gratefully acknowledged. Special thanks are due to Mr. Paul A. Hough and Mr. Joseph J. Kelly, of Armstrong World Industries, and to Professor Andrei M. Reinhorn and Mr. Ki Pung Ryu of the Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering at the University at Buffalo.
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Information & Authors
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Published In
Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 22 • Issue 3 • September 2016
Copyright
© 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 29, 2015
Accepted: Jan 28, 2016
Published online: Mar 23, 2016
Discussion open until: Aug 23, 2016
Published in print: Sep 1, 2016
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