Performance-based Design of Soil-Foundation Interface in Buildings - 1412005c

Project goals and objectives

Work with Topic Area Leader Helmut Krawinkler to coordinate foundation modeling activities of PEER researchers Kutter/Gavin (funded separately), Hutchinson/Prishati (funded separately), and Taciroglu. Goal of the work is to have alternative foundation modeling routines implemented into OpenSees that provide reasonable results for benchmark buildings.

Specific goals include identifying non-physical parameters used in the SSI models, evaluating the sensitivity of the results to reasonable range of those non-physical parameters, and developing guidelines for users on the selection of those non-physical parameters.

Role of this project in supporting PEER's mission (vision)

The major impact of our effort is to provide packaged tools in OPENSEES for SFSI analysis (typically utilized in IM to EDP analyses) that are sufficiently well documented and robust that they can be used with confidence by users other than the developers of the tools .

Methodology employed

This work principally involves coordinating the activities of SFSI model developers, who are funded separately. This is being done through a series of coordination meetings. Two meetings have been held to date, one at Stanford in December 2005, the second at the PEER annual meeting (January 2006), and the third is scheduled for May 2006.

These meetings are used to share results and reach consensus on the work that is needed to reach the project objectives.

Brief Description of previous year's achievements, with emphasis on accomplishments during last year (Year 8)

See report for the 1342005 project.

Other similar work being conducted within and outside PEER and how this project differs

See report for the 1342005 project.

Describe any instances where you are aware that your results have been used in industry

See report for the 1342005 project.

Expected milestones & deliverables

• Web page posted as of January 2006 (http://www.christinegoulet.com/files.htm)
• Web page updated as needed following meetings
• OpenSees modules for foundation models by end of project period.

Member company benefits