Thesis. 1975. M.S.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Civil Engineering. / Bibliography: leaves 105-111. / M.S.

Thesis. 1977. Ph.D.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Civil Engineering. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ENGINEERING. / Bibliography: leaves 207-211. / by Hugo Scaletti Farina. / Ph.D.

Thesis. 1976. M.S.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Civil Engineering. / Microfiche copy available in Archives and Engineering. / Includes bibliographical references. / M.S.

Thesis. 1975. M.S.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Civil Engineering. / Bibliography: leaf 106. / by Joseph Parker Morray, Jr. / M.S.

Performance-based design has gained interest in recent years among structural designers and researchers. Performance-based design includes selection of appropriate building sites, structural systems and configurations, as well as analytical procedures used in the design process, to confirm that the structure has adequate strength, stiffness and energy dissipation capacity to respond to the design loads without exceeding permissible damage states. Although performance-based seismic design has advanced for some materials and structural types, such as steel and reinforced concrete buildings and bridges, its application to light-frame structures remains largely unexplored. The objective of this research was to explore the potential for the application of performance-based engineering concepts to the design and assessment of woodframe structures subject to earthquakes. Nonlinear dynamic time-history analysis was used to predict the performance of shearwalls considering a suite of scaled characteristic ordinary ground motions to represent the seismic hazard. Sensitivity studies were performed to investigate the relative effects of damping, sheathing properties, fastener type and spacing, panel layout, and other properties on the performance of wood shearwalls. In addition, the effects of uncertainty in ground motions and variability in sheathing-to-framing connection hysteretic parameters were investigated. Issues such as the contribution of nonstructural finish materials, different seismic hazard regions, and construction quality also were investigated and modification factors to adjust peak displacement distributions were developed. The peak displacement distributions were then used to construct performance curves and design charts as a function of seismic weights for two baseline walls. Finally, fragility curves were developed for the baseline walls considering different nailing schedules, corresponding allowable seismic weights, and various overstrength (R) factors. / Graduation date: 2004

The response of lightweight equipment in structures supported on resilient-friction-base isolators (R-FBI) subjected to harmonic ground motion and various earthquake ground motions is examined. The equipment-structure base system is modeled as a three degree-of-freedom discrete system (SDOF subsystems). An efficient semi-analytical numerical solution procedure for the determination of equipment response is presented. Parametric studies to examine the effects of subsystem frequency (isolator, structure, equipment), subsystem damping, mass ratio, friction coefficient and frequency content of the ground motion on the response of the equipment are performed. The equipment response on a fixed-base structure subjected to ground motion is also calculated. Friction type isolation devices can induce high frequency effects in the isolated structure due to the stick-slip action. These effects on equipment response are examined. The results show that the high frequency effect in the structure generated from a friction-type base isolator doesn't, in general, cause amplifications in the response. The R-FBI system appears to be an effective aseismic base isolator for protecting both the structure and sensitive internal equipment. / Graduation date: 1992

Not available / text

Amendments pasted onto front end-cover. / Bibliography: p. 221-240. / xvi, 354 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Documents the experimental and analytical research undertaken aimed at providing the fundamental tools required to succesfully avoid the identified brittle "weak link" in the design of new and the assessment of existing unreinforced masonary buildings. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2000?

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil Engineering, 1979. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ENGINEERING. / Includes bibliographical references. / by Kamran Zarrabi-Kashani. / M.S.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil Engineering, 1982. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ENGINEERING. / Bibliography: leaves 125-127. / by Amir Massoud Kaynia. / Ph.D.