WHAT'S NEW

WAYFINDING THROUGH THE BUILDING INNOVATION MAZE

Transforming a kernel of an idea to an industry-accepted game-changer is no small feat especially in the AEC industry. Our Foundation Director Ron Klemencic, ENR 2018 Award of Excellence Winner, along with 2019 Top 25 Newsmakers Bruce King and Kate Simonen, Principal Investigator of the Foundation's work in Embodied Carbon, have cracked the code on innovation. Join Nadine M. Post, award-winning journalist and ENR's editor-at-large for the design and construction of buildings, as she mines insights from these industry-celebrated innovators during this virtual event. What a great way to spend a Friday afternoon! Read more




Determination of Pressure Coefficients for High-Rise Buildings of Different Aspect Ratios

The pressure coefficients for the Main Wind Force Resisting System (MWFRS) in Chapter 27 of ASCE 7-16 for buildings above 60 ft date from the mid-1970s. While tweaks have been made over the years, a systematic study using modern wind tunnel test methods for code-based design has not been conducted in many years. In particular, our knowledge of both the role of turbulence on aerodynamic loading and the turbulence levels in the atmospheric boundary later have evolved considerably over this time period. As a result, the ASCE 7-22 Wind Loads Sub-Committee is reviewing and possibly updating Chapter 27 MWFRS wind load coefficients. Read more


Reinforced Concrete Coupling Beams with High-Strength Steel Bars

The use of high-strength steel bars in reinforced concrete coupling beams is expected to reduce reinforcement congestion. A series of tests was conducted to investigate the effects of high-strength reinforcement on coupling beam behavior. This document summarizes the test program and test data. Read more


Construction Industry Validation of Schedule Performance Measure

Understanding Subcontractor's Deviation, Risk, Performance

Presenting an industry-wide schedule performance measure of construction contractors applicable to any project and at any level of detail. If successful, it will enhance the transparency of project productivity and enable the identification of any under-performing activities, projects, or firms. The performance measure is comparable across all project types, complexities, and company sizes for the construction industry. Read more


New Research Grant Awards: Closing the Guidance Gaps on Coupling Beams Used in Core Wall Systems Subjected to Wind Events

When the beam shear demands in coupled core wall systems, commonly used in mid- to high-rise towers, become relatively large, the typical reinforced concrete beam is no longer adequate. It is common, in these cases, to either use a concrete-encased structural steel coupling beam or simply a steel coupling beam. The current requirements for the analysis, design, and detailing for steel and concrete encased steel coupling beams provide for high seismic applications, however, fall short in regard to applications for wind events. The driver for this research is to close the guidance gaps. Read more



Enhanced Insights on High-Strength Reinforcing Bars

Acceptable Elongations and Low-Cycle Fatigue Performance

The Charles Pankow Foundation is pleased to make available for download the FINAL REPORT associated with Research Grant Agreement #03-16, Acceptable Elongations and Low-Cycle Fatigue Performance for High-Strength Reinforcing Bars. Read more