NEES
Cornell-RPI Project (Lifelines)
The proposed experimental facility focuses on lifeline testing, laboratory and computational simulation of soil-structure interaction under large ground deformation, and database generation and model-based simulation of lifeline component response to large transient and permanent displacements induced by earthquakes. The essential service that the proposed experimental equipment will provide is the capability to simulate large earthquake-induced displacements and to evaluate the ramifications of such displacements with respect to the soil-structure interaction of underground facilities and the ductile performance of aboveground structural components.
This project is being conducted by Cornell University in collaboration with the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). The primary equipment to be located at Cornell consists of an upgrading of the existing servo-hydraulic system for large-scale geotechnical and structural testing of lifeline systems. Recent investigations at Cornell into buried lifeline response to large permanent ground deformation (PGD) resulted in the know-how for fabricating and operating large split soil boxes containing full-scale lifeline sections. Soil movements on the order of one to several meters are necessary to cover the complete range of lifeline behavior under earthquake-induced PGD. Thus, an upgrade of the existing servo-hydraulic system is requested to provide large displacement actuators and the ancillary support equipment to operate soil boxes at large displacements. The proposed facility also includes a portable conveyor system and special soil storage bins for rapid placement and removal of the large volumes of soil needed for the soil-structure interaction experiments. In addition, new materials and new structural systems are continually being developed to have very high ductility. These materials and systems require movements on the order of one or more meters for full experimental characterization. High and low, modular reaction walls will be designed and constructed to support the system of large displacement actuators that will simulate the drift in highly ductile superstructures and the PGD effects on buried lifelines. To expand experimental capabilities for additional sensitivity studies, this proposal includes special centrifuge testing equipment that will be installed and operated at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). In addition to increasing the number of variables that can be explored by experiment, the RPI centrifuge equipment will also be used for planning and designing large-scale experiments. Other requested equipment consists of a networked data acquisition system that will be tied in to the NEES data network. Video cameras and operational systems are requested for direct support of the teleobservation/teleparticipation capabilities.
Cornell CEE is committed to the NEES collaboratory concept. It has commissioned a major architectural study and embarked on an alumni fund raising campaign to develop its laboratory facilities into a unique studio environment where students computationally model material behavior and structural performance and perform experiments to explore the actual response of the structures they design. Moreover, Cornell CEE has already developed synchronous teaching and design activities with classes at Cornell and Syracuse Universities as part of research supported by the NASA AIDE program. Many of the activities and telepresence technologies envisioned for NEES equipment centers have already been experimented with and implemented at Cornell. Cornell CEE collaborates with a regional Sciencenter located in Ithaca, the director of which is an Adjunct Professor in CEE. The proposed NEES experimental equipment in conjunction with the renovated CEE laboratory facilities will be used for outreach programs with K-12 students through the Sciencenter.
For more information, please view the comprehensive overview presentation.
NEES@Cornell
The Cornell Large Displacement Facility is a unique, world-class resource for research, education, and outreach focused on underground lifeline response to large ground deformation and the seismic performance of highly ductile above-ground structures using advanced materials and construction.