NEHRP Clearinghouse
- Title
- Racking Tests of Non-Structural Building Partitions (The Behavior of Architectural (Non-Structural) Building Components During Earthquakes).
- File
- PB81220790.pdf
- Author(s)
- Rihal, S. S.
- Source
- National Science Foundation, Washington, DC. Engineering and Applied Science., December 1980, 123 p.
- Identifying Number(s)
- ARCE-R80-1
- Abstract
- The effects of inter-story displacement (drift) during earthquake-like conditions are reported. A series of experiments were conducted (1) to study the correlation between inter-story relative displacement and building partition behavior under horizontal racking loads; (2) to assess the threshold levels of partition damage during horizontal racking actions; and (3) to determine the fundamental characteristics of non-structural building partitions (stiffness and energy absorption capacity and strength) under horizontal racking actions simulating earthquake motion. Parameters in this study consist of geometry of partition configuration and placement of gypsum wallboard panels. Development of the testing program is described and test results, sources of error, and future research plans are presented. Included in the appendices are drawings of test frame and partition test specimens, results of racking tests, and photographs.
- Keywords
- Seismic design; Earthquake resistant structures; Frames; Buildings; Earthquake engineering; Panels; Wallboard; Loads (Forces); Structural members; Earthquakes