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Author
Yokel, F. Y. | Somes, N. F.
Title
Structural Performance Evaluation of Innovative Building Systems. Technical Note.
Coporate
National Bureau of Standards, Washington, DC
Report
NBS TN 706, August 1972,
Distribution
Available from National Technical Information Service
Keywords
buildings, performance evaluation; performance tests; residential buildings; construction joints; structural design; structural members; building codes; construction materials; reinforced concrete; loads (forces)
Abstract
While building codes and design standards are usually related to specific building materials and design solutions, performance criteria are derived from user requirements and are independent of specific technological solutions. Many attributes inherent in traditional building systems which are acceptable to the user may not be present in untried innovative systems. The Performance Criteria therefore address themselves to many aspects of structural performance which are not considered in present codes and design standards. The successful application of performance criteria depends on the feasibility of evaluating compliance. Performance can be evaluated by analysis by judgement based on past experience, or by physical simulation. Deterioration with time must be considered, and performance criteria are viewed as minimum requirements which should be met at any time during the service life of a structure. An example is presented where physical testing was used to evaluate the performance of a high rise housing system. (Author)