Use experiments in the nheri hinsdale wave laboratory to quantify loading and damming resulting from debris impacts to elevated structures as a function of debris, hydrodynamic, and structural…

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) awarded a $400,000 Cooperative Agreement under the Measurement and Engineering Research and Standards (CFDA 11.609) program to the University of Notre Dame to conduct research on the impact loads and damming effects of debris on elevated structures during flood events. The key research objectives are to: 1) Quantify the probabilistic magnitude and frequency of debris impacts, separating the impulsive loading from the structural response, to enable translation of the loading to different structural systems; and 2) Quantify the regions of debris dam growth and instability, along with the associated loading. The research will involve conducting experiments at the NHERI Hinsdale Wave Laboratory to provide data to improve flood load design standards and criteria, thereby enhancing the flood resistance of infrastructure and communities. The University of Notre Dame will perform this work directly and does not intend to subcontract any portion of the activities.

Purpose

The purpose of this grant is to use experiments in the nheri hinsdale wave laboratory to quantify loading and damming resulting from debris impacts to elevated structures as a function of debris, hydrodynamic, and structural properties.

Activities

Proposed analyses for impact loads will focus on probabilistic description of the magnitude and number of debris impacts, separating the impulsive excitation from the structural response to enable translation of loading to different structural systems. Debris damming studies will quantify regions of DAM growth and instability, with associated loading. Separate no-debris tests using identical forcing will provide experimental controls, and demonstrate the relative importance of debris processes in different conditions.

Expected outcomes

Deficiencies in predictions of storm wave-current debris impacts and damming loads for elevated structures make existing standards unconservative in many situations; thus we will work as part of the forthcoming ASCE7 flood loads subcommittee with the goal of implementing debris loading that is conservative and accurate.

Intended beneficiaries

Building standards for flood loads to improve flood criteria, which will improve flood resistance of infrastructure and communities.

Subrecipient activities

The recipient does not intend to subaward funds.