Simpson Strong-Tie is participating in an unprecedented research event to highlight the importance of earthquake-resistant construction around the world. Colorado State University along with four other U.S. universities, the National Science Foundation and Simpson Strong-Tie are recreating a series of earthquakes similar to the 1994 Northridge, California, earthquake on the world’s largest shake table.
The project, known as the NEESWood Capstone tests, features a full-scale seven-story, 40- by 60-ft. condominium tower with 23 one- and two-bedroom living units and two retail shops on the ground level. In June, the tower was lifted onto Japan’s massive E-Defense (Earth-Defense) shake table, which simulates the ground motions of an earthquake.
The seven-story building is being subjected to three tests—from 6.7 to 7.5 magnitude earthquakes.