ABOUT
CONTACT
-
2-4 PM
-
ASCE Lounge
MON
-
4-6 PM
-
ASCE Lounge
TUES
-
12-2 PM
-
ASCE Lounge
THUR
During workdays members learn about seismic design concepts and use them to get hands on experience in building balsa wood structures. We also often test small scale models on shake tables and perform materials testing.
At any of our workdays you can expect to help design and build balsa wood structures. This includes designing a structure and modeling it in SketchUp and SAP2000, cutting and preparing the necessary pieces of balsa wood, physically constructing a model and testing its seismic performance on a shake table.
RESOURCES
The Seismic Design Project is a project in which undergraduate students design and construct a complex high rise office building model made from balsa wood that will be tested on a shaking table to analyze its seismic performance. The team engages members through hands-on earthquake and structural engineering from the design to the construction process.
UCLA started competing in the Seismic Design Competition in 2010. Only two years later at the 2012 EERI conference in Memphis, Tennessee, UCLA won first place in the national competition. In 2013 UCLA would defend their title by taking home first place again in Seattle Washington. This past year UCLA traveled to Anchorage, Alaska for competition, where they unable to repeat as champions despite scoring high in several competition categories.
The Seismic Design Team competes every year at the EERI (Earthquake Engineering Research Institute) Annual Conference. This year, the 2015 Seismic Design Competition will be held in Boston, Massachusetts from March 31st to April 3rd.
RAISING THE TOWER
The first step of the project is holding design meeting where members collaborate and create a preliminary design for the structure. This initial design includes both the structural elements and the architectural aspects of the structure. The design is then modeled in SAP2000 and its seismic response is evaluated. Necessary adjustments are made to the design of the structure and repeatedly analyzed until the most efficient design is produced. This improved design is then modeled in SketchUp to determine exact dimensions of all members and to act as a visual aid during the construction and presentation processes.
PROJECT WORKDAYS/EVENTS
DESIGN
COMPETITION
This final design is then used to build the structure that will be used during competition. Over 30 teams from universities across the US and around the world will be competing in the Seismic Design Competition in Boston, Massachusetts. We are judged on our oral design presentation, our summary poster, the model’s architectural design, our ability to fit within the design criteria and constraints, our analytical prediction of our model’s performance, and the response of our model during shaking table testing.
Next, a full scale prototype structure is constructed for testing purposes. All the pieces of the structure are cut and prepared to be connected together. This includes using saws, razor blades, sand paper and other tools to prepare the members of balsa wood. In many cases, templates are also created using AutoCAD and SketchUp to increase the accuracy connections and placement. These pieces of balsa wood are then glued together to build a 5 foot tall structure.
WORKDAYS
THE STAGES
This prototype structure is then subjected to earthquake motions on a shake table in order to determine the structures natural period, maximum displacement and other structure properties. Additionally, materials testing is conducted to analyze building materials and determine the strength of connections. Based on these results, modifications are made to improve the design of the structure.
SHAKE TABLE TESTING & DATA ANALYSIS
SPONSORSHIP
MATERIALS NEEDED
No matter how large or small the project is, keeping budget is always a concern. And in any student-run organization, raising money is a major issue. It would be an understatement to say how grateful and appreciative the members of Concrete Sports will be if you could donate the following. Please contact Project Manger Sam Zabb-Parmely or Michael Daciolas-Semon, Project Director/Treasurer Matt Stewart, or ASCE Treasurer Zach McFann if you are interested in sponsoring the team.
The 2014-2015 Seismic Design Competition in April will be taking place in Boston this year. Transportation of members and the structure will be major hurdles for the team to cross. Sponsoring the team will go a long way in helping the team meet its goals.
HOW TO JOIN
Feel free to show up to our workdays anytime throughout the year! We will meet in the ASCE Lounge Boelter Hall 2745. There is no prior knowledge or experience required to participate. Work days will be posted on our website, or you may contact our project managers more directly:
FAQ
CONSTRUCTION
Construction Materials
-
Balsa wood
-
Plywood
-
Wood glue
-
Tape
-
Epoxy
-
Cutting tools (exacto blades, razor blades, mini saws)
-
Measuring tools (rulers, tape measures)
Do I need any experience in engineering to join Seismic Design?
No! You do not need any experience to join the project. We teach all of our members everything they need to know and more about seismic design, structural and earthquake engineering. We also teach everyone how to work with balsa wood and other materials.
Can I join Seismic Design at any time?
Yes! We welcome new members at any time during the year and at any time during our workdays. We always need help so don’t hesitate to come to our workdays.
