In 2009, Simpson Strong-Tie collaborated with academia on the NEESWood Capstone project in Japan, the world's largest earthquake shake table test. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) recently announced that the research from the test has been awarded the prestigious Raymond C. Reese Research Prize.
The research paper, "Experimental Seismic Response of a Full-Scale Six-Story Light-Frame Wood Building," co-authored by John W. van de Lindt, M.ASCE; Shiling Pei, M.ASCE; Steven E. Pryor, M.ASCE, Simpson Strong-Tie; H. Shimizu and H. Isoda, describes the project's testing and results. The NEESWood Capstone project was developed to test new design methods for multistory, wood-frame buildings during large seismic events, and featured a seven-story, 40- by 60-ft. condominium tower with 23 one- and two-bedroom living units and two retail shops on the ground level. The condo building was subjected to and withstood several earthquakes created by Japan's E-Defense shake table.
Established in 1970, the Raymond C. Reese Research Prize is awarded to a notable achievement in research related to structural engineering. The NEESWood Capstone project paper was awarded the prize above all research articles published in ASCE journals in 2010. The award will be presented at SEI and ASCE's 2012 Structures Congress in Chicago on March 29-31.
