Experimental Fragility Analysis of Suspension Ceiling Systems

The seismic response of suspended ceiling systems that were shaken at the University at Buffalo; University of Nevada, Reno; and E-Defense facilities is critically assessed in this paper. After presenting a brief description of each experiment, the most repetitive damage observations in all experiments are discussed. Fragility curves are developed for ceiling perimeter connectors, supporting elements, and overall performance of ceiling systems by using 346 combinations of ceiling configurations and shake intensities. The key findings of these curves are the insufficient support of the 7/8-in. wall angles, unconservative code design capacity of connections for supporting elements, and early damage of ceiling systems because of ceiling-piping interaction. Acceleration amplification factors of ceiling systems with respect to suspending floor are computed. The amplification factors prescribed by the code were found to be unconservative due to the pounding of panels to the ceiling grids and deck vibration in a vertical direction.