Converging Design

The Converging Design Methodology project is a NSF-funded research effort with collaboration from Oregon State University, Colorado State University, and Penn State University. The vision of this project is to create a new design paradigm within structural engineering that employs multi-objective optimization to maximize functional recovery while integrating additional sustainable building design principles. This research will involve shake-table testing of a full-scale six-story mass timber structure at the NHERI@UCSD outdoor facility. The project commenced in October 2021, will run through 2024, and will include 5 primary tasks as outlined below.

Task Interaction

Task 1

Methodology and Metrics of Converging Design

  • Develop functional recovery and sustainability metrics
  • Receive feedback on converging design approach and refine methodology and metrics
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Task 2

Prototyping Innovative Lateral Force Resisting Systems

  • Provide experimental data and numerical modeling to inform models used for Converging Seismic Design Optimization (CSDO)
  • Focus on the use of innovative energy dissipation solutions to explore integration with mass timber wall systems
  • Wall splice connection: experimental testing

Task 3

CSDO: Converging Seismic Design Optimization

  • Extend RBSD methodology to include multi-objective optimization in design and sustainability metrics
  • Build on existing work using open-source software enabling advanced algorithms and interoperability

Task 4

Methodology Validation

  • Specimen designed, constructed, and tested at the NHERI@UCSD outdoor shake-table facility

Task 5

Dissemination and Technology Transfer

  • Information from testing distributed to higher education and industry

  

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