Project Approach
Case History Database: One of the initial goals of the Concrete Coalition is to assemble a database of case histories of concrete buildings that have been retrofitted or evaluated by qualified engineers. These case histories will be used by PEER and ATC to help inform current and future research. Volunteers are needed to provide basic summary information for particular buildings; student researchers may be available to assist in the documentation of particularly interesting buildings. Click here if you have a building you would be willing to describe for this database.
Community Risk Profiles: There are also plans to assemble currently available information on potentially dangerous concrete buildings into a database for access by all stakeholders. This information will include data on local seismic shaking hazard and geologic conditions. It will also include data where available on building inventories. Information on public policy initiatives will also be included. To facilitate this effort a standardized form will be developed for gathering data from local jurisdictions and community groups, as well as various state agencies and other organizations with pertinent data. These forms will be disseminated through a network of local volunteers who will assist in gathering the information. The forms, when completed, will comprise Community Risk Profiles and will be placed into a searchable web-based data repository. The result will be a snapshot of the currently available information related to the seismic risk associated with concrete buildings for all major metropolitan areas with a significant seismic risk. This will enable an improved ability on the part of state and local jurisdictions and agencies to quantify risks and prioritize mitigation actions. Click here to register your interest in participating.
Network: Beyond this intermediate milestone of consolidated and improved data, an even more valuable product of this effort is the resulting "network" of individuals and organizations who share a common interest in finding dangerous concrete building and fixing them. he network that will be created through this project will be a valuable tool that can provide guidelines, checklists, and other assistance. There is important technical work being done by PEER, ATC, and others to identify truly dangerous buildings and fix them with economical retrofits. The network will provide a two-way conduit -- gathering information on the needs and distributing practical results. Sample ordinances, public policies, and creative ideas for funding and financing retrofits can also be developed and shared through this mechanism.
