RAPID: Forensic Analysis of Eccentrically Braced Frame Fracture during the February 2011 Christchurch, New Zealand Earthquake

该快速反应研究(RAPID)奖的主要研究目标是识别和了解可能导致偏心支撑框架(EBF)钢结构建筑因地震导致断裂的条件。为此，将对世界上第一次EBF结构的地震破坏进行多尺度的法医分析。2011年2月新西兰克赖斯特彻奇发生地震时，克赖斯特彻奇医院就发生了这样的故障。根据这一快速收集的易腐烂数据是在维修开始之前从故障框架中提取的材料样本。法医分析涉及几个尺度的模拟(从建筑规模到微观机械断裂)，并将以失败框架的机械和化学材料测试为特色。如果研究成功，将发现新的EBF失效模式，对设计安全有直接影响。这项研究的广泛意义将包括发现新的破坏模式，以及随之而来的加强设计考虑，从而产生更安全的建筑。在结构工程的直接学科之外，一个重要的影响是对观察到的现场故障进行全面的端到端模拟(包括几个尺度)的建模。除了揭示这种端到端模拟方法的不足，从而催生新的研究外，这还将在不同水平的学术成就上具有很高的教育和培训价值，包括向行业转移技术。

The principal research objective of this Rapid Response Research (RAPID) award is to identify and understand the conditions that could cause an earthquake-induced fracture in eccentrically braced frame (EBF) steel buildings. For this purpose, multi-scale forensic analysis of the first earthquake failure worldwide of an EBF structure will be conducted. Such a failure occurred in the Christchurch Hospital during the February 2011 Christchurch, New Zealand earthquake. The perishable data to be collected under this RAPID are material specimens from the failed frame before repairs begin. The forensic analysis involves simulations encompassing several scales (from building scale to micromechanical fracture), and will feature mechanical and chemical material tests from the failed frame. The research, if successful, will result in the discovery of new failure modes of EBFs with direct implications for design safety. The broad significance of this research will include the discovery of new failure modes and the consequent enhancement of design considerations, resulting in safer buildings. Outside the immediate discipline of structural engineering, a significant impact is the modeling of a comprehensive end-to-end simulation (encompassing several scales) of an observed field failure. In addition to revealing deficiencies in such end-to-end simulation methodologies, and thus spawning new research, this will have high educational and training value across various levels of academic accomplishment, including technology transfer to industry.