NEHRP Clearinghouse
- Title
- Experimental Evaluation of the Seismic Performance of Hospital Piping Subassemblies.
- File
- PB2008105194.pdf
- Author(s)
- Goodwin, E. R.; Maragakis, E. M.; Itani, A. M.
- Source
- National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA. Earthquake Engineering Research Centers Program., September 4, 2007, 204 p.
- Identifying Number(s)
- MCEER-07-0013
- Abstract
- Two piping subassemblies with identical geometries were tested in the Large Scale Structures Laboratory at the University of Nevada, Reno. The experimental piping subassembly was modeled after a typical subassembly in a California hospital. The two subassemblies differed only by their connection details. One subassembly had welded connections; the other had threaded connections. The welded and threaded subassemblies were then tested with and without seismic bracing. The braced welded subassembly was subjected to story drifts up to 4.34 percent with no damage. The braced threaded subassembly began to leak at 2.17 percent and failed at 4.34 percent. The unbraced welded subassembly was subjected to story drifts up to 4.34 percent with no damage. The unbraced threaded subassembly began to leak at 1.08 percent story drift. The welded piping subassemblies exceed the 1997 UBC requirements on drift. The threaded piping systems do not meet the 1997 UBC requirement on drift without sustaining damage.
- Keywords
- ; Testing; Joints; Performance evaluation; Pipes; Buildings; Earthquake engineering; Hospitals; Subassemblies; Seismic effects