Capacity Evaluation of Suspended Ceiling Components, Part 1: Experimental Studies

Abstract

The need to understand how ceiling systems perform during an earthquake is becoming increasingly important for the design or retrofit of new buildings to meet higher performance objectives. However, few studies have been conducted on suspension ceiling systems to identify where they are vulnerable. This first of two companion articles presents the results of an experimental program designed at the University of Nevada, Reno to evaluate the seismic capacity of suspended ceiling components. Forty-two monotonic and cyclic tests were performed to obtain the shear and bending capacities of ceiling joints as well as failure capacities of ceiling panels and hanger wires. The failure mechanisms observed in each of the components are described and used to develop seismic fragility curves for different suspended ceiling components.