The CUREE-Caltech Woodframe Project was a four-year collaborative effort involving hundreds of individuals from academia, government, and the private sector. The intent of the project was to develop reliable and economical methods of improving woodframe building performance in earthquakes. To achieve that intent a wide range of issues was investigated, from detailed studies of economic losses to experiments studying the earthquake behavior of full-scale buildings. Multiple invitational workshops were also conducted to gather opinions and to guide subsequent efforts by the projectís researchers.
The project's results are documented in a variety of published reports and in archives of test data that are available from CUREE. While that body of information has greatly advanced the state of knowledge and understanding of seismic response of woodframe construction, its implementation is a process that will continue for many years into the future. One of the principal steps to begin utilization of that knowledge is the publication of this report wherein conclusions have been drawn from all of the other reports and data generated by the project.
The three principal authors of this report are Kelly Cobeen, James E. Russell, and J. Daniel Dolan. Various drafts of this report were prepared and circulated for review by persons inside and outside of the project. A specific advisory group called the Codes and Standards Committee provided most of the review comments through a series of regularly scheduled meetings. In addition, a wider group known as the Corresponding Members of the Codes and Standards Committee also provided comments on a partial draft presented at a workshop held in September 2001. Therefore, the discussions, recommendations, and findings presented in this report are primarily based on interpretation of the content of other Woodframe Project reports by the three principal authors, with guidance provided by members of the Codes and Standards Committee.
This report was not subjected to a formal consensus review and approval process, primarily because of time constraints. However, the existing processes for adoption of this reportís recommendations into formal codes, standards, or guidelines will provide ample opportunity for refinements to be developed or alternatives to be considered.
The purpose of this report is to document the basis for a series of findings and recommendations regarding the design and construction of woodframe structures resulting from the investigations of the Testing and Analysis, Field Investigations, and Economic Aspects Elements of the Woodframe Project. The findings and recommendations are intended to provide the basis for future modifications to applicable codes, standards, and guidelines, and to provide guidance for improvements to both design and construction practice.
By Kelly Cobeen, James Russell, and J. Daniel Dolan
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