Research:

To participate in developing hybrid testing methodology as part of a Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation Research (NEESR) Project at WMU’s LESS.  The project name is NEESsoft-Seismic Risk Reduction for Soft-Story, Wood frame Buildings funded by National Science Foundation (NSF). The overall goal of the NEESsoft project is to improve on seismic numerical modeling and provide performance based cost-effective retrofitting options for existing soft-story woodframe buildings to mitigate the risk imposed by seismic activity.   A full-scale pseudo-dynamic test will evaluate the physical model of the substructure combined with  numerical simulations of the top three floors of a woodframe building.(Top)

Research:

I graduate with a degree in Civil Engineering from Western Michigan University in April 2010. I began my Masters study in fall 2010. I am currently working on my thesis that focused on Structural Health Monitoring System. A network of wireless sensors will be developed and utilized on a structural system, mainly bridge. The data obtained from a structural system will be analyzed and investigated to observe and identify the changes in the structural system due to aging and real time traffic load.(Top)

Research:

My project is entitled Near Collapse Performance of Existing Reinforced Concrete Frame Buildings.  The project will utilize hybrid simulation provided by the Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) facilities to integrate physical experiments with numerical simulation in order to study the seismic behavior of a representative RC building subjected to three dimensional motion. The experimental element, which will be performed on 12 full scale RC columns (four sets of three columns), will take place at the Multi-Axial Full-Scale Sub-Structure Testing and Simulation (MUST-SIM) Facility at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  The numerical simulation will be hosted at Northeastern University using OpenSEES through collaboration with Western Michigan University.  Telepresence tools will be utilized for remote observation.(Top)

Research:

I graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering from Western Michigan University in December 2010.  I began my Master’s program in Spring 2012.  With my thesis being undecided, I am currently assisting within the LESS lab on the NEESsoft_Seismic Risk Reduction for Soft-Story equipment while I develop the skills and knowledge needed to understand Dynamic Structures.(Top)

	John Sendor B.S. Civil Engineering, Western Michigan University, 2012 Email: jscomsys@gmail.com
	Lusanni Acosta B.S. Civil Engineering, Western Michigan University, 2012 Email: lusanni.m.acostarodriguez@wmich.edu
	Brian Curtis B.S. Civil Engineering, Western Michigan University, 2012 Email: brian.d.curtis@wmich.edu Former Webmaster of LESS  (Top)