Webinar | Resilient Design: Performance Assessment of Structural Materials

The U.S. Resiliency Council (USRC) conducted a study on the comparative seismic performance of multifamily structures comprised of four construction types: traditional wood framing, cross laminated timber (CLT), steel framing and insulated concrete forms (ICF). The objective of the study was to demonstrate that different structural systems, all permitted within the International Building Code, may nonetheless deliver different performance in earthquakes. While a code compliant building regardless of structural system is expected to provide life safety, the amount of physical damage, repair costs and building functional recovery time can depend significantly on the strength and stiffness of the selected structural system.

In the study, estimates were made on the repair costs and recovery times associated with damage caused by a range of earthquake intensities in various locations. These estimates were based upon methodology developed over more than fifteen years by FEMA in the P58 - Seismic Performance Assessment of Buildings standard. Furthermore, it estimates repair costs and recovery time based on the fragility of individual structural and nonstructural components. Ultimately, net benefits and net construction cost deltas were compared across the four configurations and potential return on investment was estimated considering earthquakes that might occur over a 50-year building life. The study concludes with a USRC rating for safety, damage and recovery for each system and territory, as well as a brief assessment of the sustainability impacts for each structure type.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Evan Reis, PE, SE
Executive Director, Co-Founder
U.S. Resiliency Council

Evan Reis is a Structural Engineer and Executive Director of the US Resiliency Council where he works with organizations to promote resilience and improve the performance of our nation’s infrastructure in natural disasters. He is a national leader in seismic risk management, publishing more than 50 papers, and presenting to groups of building stakeholders around the country. Evan co-founded the USRC in 2011 to educate building stakeholders about the gap between sustainability and true resilient design.

Brandon Wray
Director, Building Innovations
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association

Brandon Wray is a Civil Engineer and the Director of Building Innovations for the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association where he promotes concrete and concrete technologies throughout the design community with a special focus on sustainability. Prior to joining the NRMCA, Brandon worked as an engineering manager for US Concrete where he assisted in developing, evaluating, and launching various concrete technologies throughout North America, followed by a role as a design manager with Clark Pacific, a world renowned precast concrete manufacturer.