Long term performance of mass timber building: supporting the AEC industry in decision-making process
Faculty mentor/Supervisor:
Mariapaola Riggio
Email Address:
Department Affiliation:
Wood Science & Engineering
Project Location:
Richardson Hall, the A.A Red Emmerson Advanced Wood Products Laboratory, Peavy Hall, Zoom and from home.
Project Description:
While the mass timber industry is developing and expanding its market segments, and advanced structural systems, such as post-tensioned shear walls, have being increasingly incorporated in many projects, the Architectural, Engineering and Construction (AEC) community has still many questions regarding the long-term behavior of these systems. Since these systems are new, there is a paucity of data on their long-term performance and best design and construction practices have not yet been compiled and implemented in harmonized guidelines and recommendations. Structural health monitoring (SHM) programs, such as the one implemented in Peavy Hall, aim to provide this much needed information to support decision making processes of interested stakeholders.
Objectives of the study are:
• To collect and analyze data on short-, mid- and long-term (2 years) performance of post-tensioned mass timber panels, in relation with design details and climate conditions;
• Communicate these data to the research community as well as to the wood construction industry;
• To investigate the extent to which the presented monitoring data (e.g. in Peavy Hall and in laboratory samples) reach the intended audience; and
• To investigate which features of the currently available data communication and visualization tools are considered useful by the targeted AEC users.
Describe the type of work and tasks you anticipate the student will perform:
The student will work closely with an interdisciplinary team which, additionally to Dr. Riggio, includes other faculty in COF (Dr. Muszynski), CCE (Dr. Barbosa) and COE (Dr. Rowe), 2 graduate students, and Faculty research assistants. The student will work both on a qualitative research to collect data on the effectiveness of an educational display on long-term performance data in Peavy Hall, and an experimental study to collect quantitative data on the long-term performance of post-tensioned mass timber panels. To participate in the first study, the student will need to complete the required IRB training. As soon as the participation in on Campus activities will not be restricted, the student will take the mandatory theoretical and hands-on safety and lab training before any lab work. The student is expected to work collaboratively during the preparation of the experimental setup, helping in preparation of samples, testing, evaluation and preparation of IRB project, reports, as well as scientific presentations and publications.
Hourly rate of pay:
12
Detail your mentorship plan:
By working on this project, the student will be exposed to a wide range of scientific and engineering concepts, and will have an opportunity to learn about both qualitative and quantitative research methods. I’ll work together with the undergrad student employed through this program, and my grad students, to collect data and communicate them to a larger audience. We will collaborate also with Faculty in the college of Engineering (A. Barbosa CEE) and college of Education (S. Rowe), on different aspects related to data analysis, interpretation and communication.
Throughout the school year, the student will have the possibility to interact with industry and professional partners involved in the monitoring project of the Peavy Hall and the design and construction of post-tensioned shear walls. This way the student will build a knowledge and direct experience of real-world contexts and links to the emerging industries.
The student will be given the necessary support to ensure a fruitful use of the software tools needed to implement the project.
The student will be included in all the Zoom group meetings among my students that take place during the school year. The 3.75 hours per week interaction minimum would be maintained throughout the school year. The student will be encouraged to participate in the Celebrating Undergraduate Excellence event on the OSU campus.