Performance-Based Engineering under Multiple Hazards

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Performance-Based Analysis and Design of Buildings under Wind Loads

The goal of this project is to develop a multi-purpose tool to transform the analysis and design of buildings subjected to wind hazards. The project uses concepts of risk assessment and mitigation together to maximize the safety and performance of buildings in high-wind areas. For assessment purposes, this effort relies on a performance-based philosophy, which offers versatile capabilities to optimize the design in such a way that the cost is minimized, while the target performance objectives are achieved. On the other hand, for mitigation purposes, a decision-making algorithm is implemented to consider multiple strategies and identify the best solution based on a range of performance, cost, and risk metrics. This project aims at addressing the challenges that have prevented the building sector from ensuring the safety and comfort of buildings against wind loads. The ongoing activities span the development of simulation capabilities, data-driven algorithms, and predictive models, leading to a platform that greatly facilitates the communication and collaboration among various entities involved in the finance, design, maintenance, and insurance of buildings.

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Vibration Control Devices for Tall Buildings

The objective of this project is twofold: (1) to establish a performance-based methodology that includes the variability of control systems, and (2) to support the integration of control systems for wind response mitigation. Loads and response data are produced using the physical models of the structures subjected to a variety of wind loads using a boundary-layer wind tunnel, as well as tornado and microburst simulation facilities. The control system’s performance, including possible sensor failure, power failure, and controller sub-performance, is integrated in the procedure using a systematic probabilistic approach. Physics-based numerical simulations are also performed to validate and demonstrate the performance-based methodology developed for the control systems. These simulations are expected to enable the analysis of the life-cycle performance of the structures equipped with the control systems under a wide range of exposure scenarios. Novel quantitative metrics are formulated to characterize the structural performance, in particular with respect to the performance of the employed control systems.

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Smart Morphing Facades for Next Generation of Wind Resistant Buildings

The goal of this project is to transform building facades from passive structural elements serving their conventional architectural and functional roles to an adaptable engineered system that can (1) protect a building against extreme wind events, (2) reduce safety concerns and structural costs, and (3) eventually contribute to a sustainable solution for energy saving. The outcome of this research is expected to result in a new generation of multifunctional morphing facade modules that are sustainable and resilient. Such modules, which have tangible safety and economic benefits, will transform the design of morphing control systems for hazard mitigation purposes. This project will create fundamental knowledge in (1) modeling of the dynamics of tall buildings, (2) diagnostics of the system properties from observations through pressure, accelerometer, and velocity sensors, and (3) control of the aerodynamic shape of the system to obtain a desired dynamic behavior. This research advances aerodynamic shape optimization and active control systems for large-scale morphing surfaces through integrated computational and experimental analyses.

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