Research on the Seismic Performance of Nonstructural Components

With $4 million in National Science Foundation funding, a five-year research project is currently testing and analyzing the seismic performance of nonstructural components with the aim of developing improved construction systems. The nonstructural components within the scope of the project are ceilings, piping (in particular fire sprinkler piping), and partitions. These three kinds of nonstructural components, although designed and constructed …