Post-Doctoral Scholar, Saber Moradi, will present: “Self-Centering Earthquake-Resistant Steel Buildings: Simulation and Performance Assessment“.

Summary:
Modern code-conforming steel buildings designed with conventional lateral load resisting systems (e.g. buckling restrained braced frame and special moment frame) are generally able to provide an adequate margin of safety against collapse under rare earthquakes. However, these buildings are susceptible to permanent structural damage even under the design basis earthquake, which results in economic losses due to repair, downtime, and demolition. To address this shortcoming, researchers have developed self-centering systems, which minimize residual drift demands and the likelihood that the building will have to be demolished following an earthquake.

This presentation reviews two research projects on self-centering steel buildings utilizing post-tensioned steel elements. The presentation covers three-dimensional finite element simulation, response sensitivity and optimization of post-tensioned steel beam-column connections as well as seismic performance assessment of controlled-rocking steel braced frames. Both projects involve using the statistical Design of Experiment method which is an efficient and robust method for planning, conducting, and analyzing physical or computer experiments. The presentation also describes employing a response surface methodology and desirability function approach for performing multiple-response optimization studies. The presented research framework and methodology can be applied to a wide variety of engineering and science projects aiming to gain insight into the behavior of a system or product.

Biography:
Saber Moradi is a UCLA post-doctoral scholar working in Dr. Burton Research Group in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. He received his PhD at the University of British Columbia in April 2016. His doctoral research was focused on “simulation, response sensitivity, and optimization of post-tensioned steel beam-column connections”. He has experience of teaching several courses primarily on solid mechanics and structural analysis and design. His research interest includes finite element simulation and computational modeling, steel structures, self-centering systems, applications of smart materials for structural damage mitigation, design and assessment of structures, and optimization methods.