The research project “Quantifying the Performance of Retrofit of Cripple Walls and Sill Anchorage in Single-Family Wood-Frame Buildings” received an Award of Merit in the Research Category from the 2021 Structural Engineers Association of Northern California Excellence in Engineering Awards Program. Award in this category is for “outstanding achievement in the development of structural engineering practice, standards, research documents or design guidelines.”

This community-based project was a multidisciplinary research with over 20 researchers and practicing professionals involved”, said Prof. Yousef Bozorgnia, the Principal Investigator of the research project. The project was coordinated through the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center.

The objective of the project is to provide scientifically based information (e.g., testing, analysis, and resulting loss models) that measure and assess the effectiveness of seismic retrofit to reduce the risk of damage and associated repair costs of wood- frame houses with cripple wall and sill anchorage deficiencies as well as retrofitted conditions that address those deficiencies.

Read more about the project and juror comments.