The intent of this proposal is to investigate the use of steel confinement techniques in concrete masonry construction in order to increase the strength and ductility of shear walls and to more effectively use building materials. Several options which would provide confinement in concrete masonry will be established and ranked. These options would be developed utilizing professional experience in structural design, earthquake and wind engineering and by relying in part upon the masonry construction industry. The development of a test program for quantifying improved earthquake resistance and determining the cost of testing each selected design/system/method is also proposed. This test program would also identify criteria which could be used to evaluate future imaginative methods of confinement and thus help to accelerate the evaluation process conducted by professional engineers and building officials. A prism testing of two of the most promising confinement options is proposed as well.The potential commercial application as described by the awardee: New innovative methods of steel confinement and/or detailing leading to increased earthquake safety and reduced construction costs will result from the research. Englekirk and Hart Consulting Engineers, Inc., is an engineering and consulting firm specializing in the areas of wind engineering and wind tunnel studies, strengthening and rehabilitation of buildings, earthquake engineering and risk management, failure analysis, military and federal government, structural design, and new technology for design criteria and computer programs.
