The PRESSS program - Current status and proposed plans for phase III

The current status of the coordinated Precast Seismic Structural Systems (PRESSS) program is summarized and plans for the final phase outlined. PRESSS Phase III is built around two large-scale super-assemblage experiments, one of a frame building and the other of a panel structure. Precast concrete elements will be used to the maximum in both structures. The buildings will be designed using a displacement-based design procedure developed as part of the PRESSS program and the results of experimental programs forming PRESSS Phase II. The purposes of PRESSS Phase III are to demonstrate the viability of precast concrete design for regions of high seismicity to establish clearly the predictability and dependability of performance of properly designed precast concrete buildings under seismic response, and to emphasize the advantage of precast concrete seismic performance, including reduced damage levels compared with equivalent reinforced concrete or steel structures. A final objective of the PRESSS program will be to develop design guidelines for precast concrete structures in zones of high and moderate seismicity which can be incorporated into the model building codes.