Shaking table tests and numerical modeling of discontinuous suspended ceiling system with free boundary condition

Abstract

As one type of vital nonstructural component, the suspended ceiling (SC) system is widely used in public buildings but was severely damaged in past earthquakes. This study comparatively investigates the seismic behaviors of two typical SC systems, one of which is a single-layer suspended ceiling (SLSC), and the other is a double-layer suspended ceiling (DLSC). Full-scale shaking table tests are conducted on two ceiling specimens with free boundary condition. The damage patterns and earthquake responses in terms of acceleration, displacement, strain, and axial force of grid members are analyzed and compared. Experimental results show that the pounding behavior at the ceiling perimeter has significant effects on the seismic behavior of SC. The peripheral grid members and main-cross tee connections are most vulnerable to earthquakes. With the accumulated damage in SC, the final collapse of both specimens occurs suddenly. Additionally, the connections between the threaded rods and grid members significantly affect the seismic behavior of SC. Compared with the specimen DLSC, the specimen SLSC exhibits much better seismic performance. Lastly, the simplified numerical models of both specimens are established. The numerical simulation results agree well with the experimental results.