03.10.17 The 1755 Cape Ann Earthquake distinguished Boston as one of the few cities outside of California to pay serious attention to earthquake engineering. In the 1970s, Massachusetts engineers pioneered much of what became our national approach to earthquake engineering, and LeMessurier has played a role from the beginning. Advances in high seismic design in the 1990s, however, left Boston and other cities with options that were too expensive to be viable in our construction market. As a result, for over 20 years, engineers outside of California have settled for compromise solutions that lack a rigorous scientific basis. During this time, LeMessurier has consistently fought for high-quality seismic design in Massachusetts and around the world. We have led international efforts to establish a rigorous scientific basis for earthquake engineering in moderate seismic regions, and we have transformed the culture of structural design.

Building on our lengthy traditions of cutting edge research and design creativity, we have worked with our university partners and professional colleagues to establish a new basis for seismic design that is responsive to the unique characteristics of Eastern North America. These papers mark the beginning of an approach to seismic design that has harnessed advanced analyses and sophisticated thinking to develop resilient systems that are more reliable and efficient than ever before.

See Link to PDF of the three related research articles below.

Visit the AISC site to read "Ductility in Moderation" and more.

Visit the ASCE site to read "Full-Scale Cyclic Testing of Low-Ductility Concentrically Braced Frames", "Parametric Study of Low-Ductility Concentrically Braced Frames under Cyclic Static Loading" and more.