Finite-Element Modeling for Seismic Damage Estimation of Suspended Ceiling Systems
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 149, Issue 2
Abstract
The seismic qualification and seismic performance assessment of suspended ceiling systems have been traditionally conducted through large-scale shake table testing. This experimentally-based approach not only involves significant financial and time resources but is also not flexible to evaluate several configurations of suspended ceiling systems. As an alternate approach, this paper discusses the development of a general finite-element (FE) model of suspended ceiling systems that accurately captures the propagation of damage observed during full-scale shake table testing using the commercial finite-element analysis software, Abaqus/Explicit. The results of the large-scale shake table testing on suspended ceiling systems conducted at the University at Buffalo as part of the NEES nonstructural project were used to validate the FE model. The major components of suspended ceiling systems such as grid runners, ceiling tiles, and hanger wires were modeled and assembled with significant detail in the FE model. The properties of the connections between the grid runners, which are vital for capturing the seismic behavior of suspended ceiling systems were derived numerically. A user-defined subroutine was incorporated in the Abaqus/Explicit software framework to capture the multidirectional pinched hysteretic behavior of the connections between grid runners. An illustrative example of the application of the proposed FE model to develop robust numerically generated fragility curves for suspended ceiling systems is presented.
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Data Availability Statement
The Abaqus/Explicit input files of the FE model, the user-defined subroutine employed in this study, and the detailed data of the findings from this study are available from the authors upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge the Italian Department of Civil Protection (DPC) for their financial contributions to this study through the ReLUIS 2019–2021 Project (Work Package 17–Contributi Normativi Per Elementi Non Strutturali). The authors also acknowledge the support and funding received for the graduate study of the first author from the Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering of the State University of New York at Buffalo. The authors also acknowledge UB Center for Computational Research for the access to their computing clusters.
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Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 149 • Issue 2 • February 2023
Copyright
© 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Apr 20, 2022
Accepted: Sep 15, 2022
Published online: Nov 30, 2022
Published in print: Feb 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Apr 30, 2023
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