Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU), NSF NHERI 2025: CFS10: Measured Force and Acceleration Amplification of Nonstructural Components vs ASCE7-22

This project examines how accurately the ASCE 7-22 building code predicts seismic forces on nonstructural components, such as stairs and rooftop equipment, by comparing code-based demands to measured data from the CFS-NHERI 10-story cold-formed steel building tested at the University of California San Diego’s Large High-Performance Outdoor Shake Table. A MATLAB-based video analysis tool was developed to link visual observations with sensor data, while acceleration records were used to calculate the forces experienced by rooftop equipment during earthquake motions and evaluate them against ASCE 7-22 design provisions. The results indicate that the current code may underestimate real-world demands, highlighting the need for updated design guidelines to improve the seismic resilience of future cold-formed steel buildings. The data collected from the CFS-NHERI 10-story cold-formed steel building can be reused to evaluate nonstructural component performance under various seismic conditions and to validate analytical or numerical models that simulate force and acceleration amplification. Future researchers can also apply these datasets to refine design coefficients in ASCE 7, explore component-specific response patterns, or compare cold-formed steel structures to other building systems. This project is unique because it compares the ASCE 7-22 code with the measured data from the CFS-10 Capstone Project, the first full-scale, 10-story cold-formed steel (CFS) building tested under seismic loading. The intended audience includes structural and fire protection engineers, code developers, and researchers focused on seismic resilience and building performance. Additionally, organizations such as the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), building code committees, and graduate engineering students can benefit from the project’s insights into improving nonstructural design standards for future resilient infrastructure.