Shaking Table Tests Examining Seismic Response of Suspended Ceilings Attached to Large-Span Spatial Structures

The failure of suspended ceiling systems is one of the most widely reported types of nonstructural damage in large-span spatial structures after an earthquake. In an effort to mitigate this damage in future events, this study evaluates the seismic performance of suspended ceilings attached to rigid and flexible supporting structures subjected to strong earthquake shaking. Full-scale shake table experiments are carried out on suspended ceiling sections with components and installation following the requirements of the Chinese national codes. A system with a hinge in the middle of the hanger rod is proposed to limit the transmission of vertical vibration from the flexible supporting structures. In the experiments, notable damage is observed in the suspended ceilings due to both horizontal and vertical excitation. The supporting flexible structure is found to increase the vertical response of the suspended ceiling. When the hanger rod includes a hinge in the middle, the vertical response to some extent decreases compared with that with a normal hanger rod. The failure of the grid results from the failure of the clips of the main runner and cross runner, the cross runner, and the brace runner. Control of component-installation and clip quality plays an important role in the vulnerability of in-service suspended ceiling systems.