Blum teams up with the Steel Deck Institute to improve building safety

Dr. Hannah Blum is working with the Steel Deck Institute (SDI) to improve the safety and reliability of steel roofing and floor decks that are common in buildings. Recently, two of her current SDI-funded research projects were awarded additional funding by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).

The first project, “Inelastic Analysis and Design of Bare Steel Deck Diaphragms Using the Instantaneous Center Method,” studies roof diaphragms to better understand how the welds that connect the deck to the structure behave. Steel roof deck can be used as a diaphragm to distribute wind and seismic lateral forces across a building into structural elements that transmit them into the foundation.

The second project, “System Reliability of Steel Roof Deck,” seeks to better define roof safety and how it contributes to overall building safety. This project explores the dependability of steel roof deck, including the benefits of the connections to the building and overlying rigid roofing material.

“I’m looking forward to working with the Steel Deck Institute on these and future projects that lead to robust and reliable structures.,” explains Dr. Blum, Alain H. Peyrot Assistant Professor. “Through this collaboration, current students are training to be future leaders in structural engineering.”

Both projects are part of a larger SDI research initiative focusing on the strength and safety of buildings that use steel deck products. “This ongoing partnership between the SDI and Dr. Blum will lead to safer and more economical steel structures that will serve the public for many years,” concludes SDI Technical Director Dr. Thomas Sputo, P.E., S.E.