U.S./P.R.C. Workshop on Experimental Methods in Earthquake Engineering


Future issues and trends in experimental research must be driven by the demand of the public for adequate damage control and seismic safety of new and existing structures. Experimentation should support analytical modeling, seismic code developments, and the assessment of seismic performance of existing structures. In dris context the need exists to take stock of (a) what information has been provided by experimental research in the past, (b) what aspects of experimental research should become the focus of future activities. and (c) what improvemems are needed in testing methodologies.


As part of the U.S.-P.R.C. Protocol for Cooperative Earthquake Studies a workshop was organized to address these issues, particularly the third one. The goal was to bring together leading experts in experimental research from the U.S. and the P.R.C. to give presentations and participate in working group discussions on issues related to improvements in methods of experimental research in earthquake engineering. Topics for discussion included advances in laboratory and field testing technologies. experimental procedures and protocols, innovative testing methods, sensor and data acquisition technology, and experimental methods for specific applications. The specific objectives of the workshop were as follows:

 • Assess the state-of-the-knowledge in experimental methods.

• Discuss methodologies that will improve the realism, reliability, and usefulness of experimental
research on structures.

• Identify future developments~to improve experimental methods.


The workshop was held in Shanghai, P.R.C., from November 10 to November 12, 1992. The workshop consisted of plenary presentation sessions and discussion sessions. In the plenary sessions the participants gave presentations on the state-of-the-knowledge or on new developments in experimental methods. In the working group sessions the participants focused on an assessment of the state-of-the-knowledge and future development needs in specific sub-areas of experimental methods. The conclusions of the working group sessions were discussed in a plenary session and summarized in the workshop resolutions.


These workshop proceedings document the workshop resolutions as well as the written contributions prepared for the workshop. Theorganizers are deeply indebted to the authors who have prepared original and thoughtful contributions for this publication. Much appreciation is expressed also to the local organizing committee of Tongji University, whose tireless efforts have contributed much to the success of this workshop.


Sponsorship for the workshop was provided by the Earthquake Hazard Mitigation Program of the U.S. National Science Foundation (Grant BCS-921(034), the China Academy of Building Sciences, and Tongji University. This support is gratefully acknowledged. The opinions expressed in the papers and the resolutions presented herein are, however. those of the authors and participants and do notrepresent the official positions of the sponsoring agencies.