U of A Engineering Researchers Push Steel to Breaking Point in Earthquake Simulation

University of Arkansas System President Silveria receives a tour of CEREC prior to the full-scale steel seismic connection test.

Individuals gather to observe the full-scale steel seismic connection test.

Gary Prinz, professor of civil engineering, conducts the full-scale steel seismic connection test.

Morgan Broberg, assistant professor of civil engineering, explains the next step in the full-scale steel seismic connection test.

CEREC faculty and staff observe the steel beam during testing.

The steel beam after the stress test.

The complete steel structure after the stress test.

Photo Submitted

Testing of a full-scale steel seismic connection at the Grady E. Harvell Civil Engineering Research and Education Center on Tuesday, Oct. 22.

Researchers in the College of Engineering at the University of Arkansas successfully demonstrated the limits of structural steel, conducting a full-scale steel seismic connection test designed to evaluate performance under the intense forces of an earthquake.

The demonstration took place on Oct. 22 at the Grady E. Harvell Civil Engineering Research and Education Center (CEREC), a 37,400-square-foot, state-of-the-art testing facility on the university's campus.

The live test showcased the capabilities of the CEREC facility, where researchers subject full-scale structural components to extreme conditions. By testing materials and structural systems at this scale, engineers can better understand how buildings will respond to seismic activity and identify potential failures.

"We successfully tested a roof-level steel moment frame connection for the American Institute of Steel Construction, verifying performance under conditions that simulate extreme earthquake forces," said Gary Prinz, professor of civil engineering. "Projects like this require a lot of collaboration from many talented individuals. Being able to showcase their hard work and this research to an engaged audience was rewarding. It shows the real-world impact of the work happening here at CEREC."

The research has significant implications for building safety standards and construction practices. As earthquakes continue to pose risks to communities worldwide, understanding the performance of steel building connections under extreme stress becomes increasingly critical. The data gathered from tests like Wednesday's demonstration will inform future building codes and design standards, not only in the state of Arkansas, but across the whole country.

This live demonstration drew University of Arkansas leadership, including Chancellor Robinson; University of Arkansas System leadership, including President Silveira; State Sen. Bart Hester; U.S. Rep. Steve Womack; steel industry leaders; and other stakeholders.

"The Grady E. Harvell Civil Engineering Research and Education Center is one of the top structural labs in the U.S.," said Micah Hale, civil engineering department head. "We're thrilled that so many key individuals and stakeholders could visit the facility and witness the groundbreaking research happening here."

CEREC represents a major investment in research infrastructure for the University of Arkansas and the state. The large-scale testing capabilities allow researchers to conduct experiments that would be impossible in traditional laboratory settings, giving them real-world data on how structural systems behave under extreme loads.

Additional resources and lab spaces within CEREC include a dedicated concrete materials laboratory, a metallurgy lab for metallographic analyses, and an extensive materials testing laboratory. 

The facility continues to serve as a hub for innovative research and has brought in approximately $21 million in research awards since opening in 2021.