Professor, students to conduct earthquake research

Mon, February 8, 2010 |

A Valparaiso University professor and a team of engineering students have begun a three-year research project examining how structures respond to the natural forces generated by earthquakes in order to help structural engineers design safer and more efficient buildings.

Dr. Michael Hagenberger, assistant professor of civil engineering, will lead the project, which is currently in its first stage.

"When an earthquake happens, there is energy going into buildings, and that energy has to be absorbed somewhere," said Dr. Hagenberger. "What we will be doing is researching the phenomenon in two common structural systems not currently used in earthquake prone regions, and then developing code language so that engineers can take advantage of the economic efficiencies of the systems without safety concerns."

The project will include three phases, culminating with the actual testing in 2011.

In the first phase, research is being conducted into the strength of the connections between concrete floor systems and steel beams; in phase two, the team will design an experimental program for testing the connection between the floor systems and the steel trusses that form the core of a building's structure; and in phase three, testing of the slab to truss connection will be conducted in a new laboratory being built at Valpo's College of Engineering. In addition, Valpo's Scientific Visualization Lab will be used to develop systems and methodologies to collect, visualize and analyze data and video collected during experimental tests and from analytical models.

"The research and testing will allow us to design systems within structures that will yield to the forces of an earthquake while still retaining structural integrity," said Dr. Hagenberger. "In the end, what we want is a balance of flexibility and stability, and this testing will allow us to find ways to improve the structures designed and built in the future."

Two Valpo students are assisting with the project, Kaylene Boroski, a senior civil engineering major from Wakeman, Ohio; and Jonathan Backman, a senior electrical engineering major from Eagan, Minn.

The work is being done in collaboration with research teams at the University of Minnesota and the University of Texas, and is being funded by the National Science Foundation and the Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation Research (NEESR).

More information about Valpo's College of Engineering can be found online at
http://www.valpo.edu/engineering.