Shake table testing of bookcase partition wall systems

This paper describes the seismic (shake table) tests conducted on bookcase – partition wall systems. These nonstructural building components can be considered acceleration sensitive (or motion sensitive) rather than drift sensitive. The shake table floor motions used for the seismic testing are described in a companion paper. One bookcase fully loaded with books and two different cantilevered partition wall systems were considered in the shake table tests. Nine different configurations of these free-standing nonstructural building components were tested. For each configuration, three different seismic hazard levels were considered for the motions at the second floor level of a six-storey building designed for two different densely populated Canadian cities (Montréal and Vancouver). A total of 485 shake table tests were conducted in this experimental investigation. The experimental results indicated that pounding between unanchored bookcases and partition walls is very beneficial to the dynamic response of the bookcases, as it prevents resonance from occurring. Also, the seismic performance of bookcases improved dramatically by the proper installation of seismic restraint systems. Experimental fragility curves for overturning of tall bookcases are presented.Key words: bookcases, earthquakes, fragility, interior partition walls, nonstructural, operational and functional components, pounding, seismic restraints, shake table.