Grantmaking for Research and the CPF Grantmaking Process

Grantmaking for Research: Recent Awards Made

The Charles Pankow Foundation awarded its first research grants in 2006. Research grant awards to date are listed below. These projects represent research objectives and deliverables that are intended to carry out the purposes and focus of the Foundation's research mission and provide prospective grantseekers an understanding of the types of research that CPF desires to fund.

2007 Research Grant Awards: Summary

2007 Research Grant Awards: Details

Title: Development and Design of Precast Concrete Diaphragm Systems: CPF Supplement

Industry Champion: PCI and the PCI DSDM Task Group
Research Purpose:

To extend and complete the tasks required to finish the 4-year, $2 million-plus project that will support final design guidelines for the design and construction of robust, non-proprietary precast concrete diaphragm systems comprised of topped and untopped double tee units and a combination of ductile and strong connectors for application in seismic zones. Tasks to be accomplished under this grant include: construction and testing of 1/2-scale specimens at the UCSD shake table; broadening the study scope to a topped composite system as well as an untopped system; extending the demonstration and design procedure of these systems to all seismic hazards; producing three-dimensional nonlinear dynamic earthquake simulations of prototype structures; producing adaptive, computer analysis driven, experiments of critical joints from the untopped diaphragm systems to evaluate the emerging design procedure; half-scale isolated tests of details from the diaphragm systems to calibrate/verify shake table test information, and delivery of formal technology transfer mechanisms not previously intended.

Deliverable: A Final Report covering comparison of analytical results to shake table test results; comparison of half-scale results and hybrid results to shake table test results; a cost study, and finally the final precast concrete diaphragm system design procedure document, in sufficient detail to attain building code adoption and to allow a knowledgeable engineer to replicate the design using this deliverable as the sole source of technical information.

Title: GreenFormat: Sustainable Product Reporting Guide

Industry Champion: CSI, USGBC, Building Green, Inc., NIBS
Research Purpose: To complete the development and fielding of GreenFormat, a new CSI Format for presenting structured product data about sustainability for the purpose of evaluation and specification of building products. The project will produce an industry standard reporting format and a database-driven website for manufacturers to list, and for construction professionals to find, sustainable performance data on building products.
Deliverables:

1. A standard reporting format for manufacturers concerning environmental claims, and other environmental attributes based on accepted standards and certifications.
2. A web interface that allows manufacturers to self-complete and update GreenFormat for their product(s), with open access to completed product data forms for building teams to use when selecting and evaluating products.
3. A relational database for storing manufacturer product data with specific modules for key product categories built on the framework of CSI MasterFormat 2004 Edition.
4. Usage guidelines, procedures and a support system to enable manufacturers to readily provide product information and help users understand the information.
5. An ongoing operation that promotes the open use of the GreenFormat by designers and the listing of product information by manufacturers, to include the marketing, maintenance and management of the process.

Title: Development of Industry Foundation Classes (IFCs) for Structural Components

Industry Champion: Board of Directors, Applied Technology Council
Research Purpose: To develop an extended set of IFCs for Structural Components for inclusion in the International Alliance for Interoperability (IAI). The project outcomes will improve productivity in the design and construction industry by developing a basis for incorporating and integrating structural design codes, analysis tools and methods into the IFCs of the IAI effort.
Deliverables:

1. A User Requirements and Business Processes Report that will cover the set of specific business processes; user and data exchange requirements, and practical guidance for applying the IFC supported business processes. 
2. A Structural Model View Definitions Report that will define the new IFC extensions and how they are integrated into the IFC data model, including a data set with specific data-elements required for structural engineering data exchanges, to enable rapid implementation of the capability into industry software. 
3. A Validation Test Report that will describe the IAI testing program, conducted against the IFC Structural Model View implemented in software, to include certification that the Structural Model View data is correctly implemented.
4. A Final Report providing a comprehensive overview of the Deliverables for all stakeholders and users of the research, to include implementing procedures and certifications that the procedures are suitable for adoption and use in building design and construction practice.

Title: Performance-based Seismic Design Guidelines for Tall Buildings

Industry Champion: Ron Klemencic, President, MKA Associates and Member, CPF Advisory Council
Research Purpose: To develop performance-based seismic design guidelines, ready for adoption by local jurisdictions and code-writing organizations, to facilitate the rapid acceptance of tall buildings in seismically active regions designed by alternative procedures.
Deliverable: A Final Report, documenting the final results of the research project, to include: a summary of the activities of the working group; findings of the trial designs; a comment log documenting disposition of all comments received from the community; final design guidelines, and specific building code change proposals on topics such as modeling, selection and scaling of ground motions, and determination of design values.

Title: Improved Tolerance Management in Concrete Construction

Industry Champion: Eldon Tipping, Chair, ACI Committee 117 and Fellow, ACI
Research Purpose: To address the need for quantum-level improvements in the design, specification, and construction of cast-in-place concrete and its interfaces with other elements as related to dimensional tolerances.
Deliverable: A proven, pilot-tested protocol that identifies standard construction process capabilities (CPC) for dimensional properties of CIP elements using statistical distribution of dimensional variations, accompanied by an online data base and a manual of practice that will enable practitioners to apply the resulting new ACI 117 Standard.

2006 Research Grant Awards: Summary

2006 Research Grant Awards: Details

Title: Design Procedure for Dual-Plate Composite Shear Walls

Industry Champion: Ron Klemencic, President, MKA Associates
Research Purpose: To address the need for a rapidly-constructable core-wall system that will avoid the use of time-consuming climbing forms and significantly shorten the time required to construct core walls in multi-story buildings.
Deliverable: A Final Design Procedure Document for use by practicing engineers in the design of dual-plate composite shear wall systems in regions of high seismic risk.

Title: Reinforced Concrete Link Beams

Industry Champion: Ron Klemencic, President, MKA Associates
Research Purpose: By means of large-scale testing of reinforced concrete link (coupling) beams, develop alternative detailing options that would allow for improved constructability within high-seismic regions.
Deliverable: Design recommendations for application by engineers to design link beams, and to present to building officials to support their designs.

Title: Static Testing Phase, Frame-Braced Concrete Buildings in High Seismic Zones

Industry Champion: Robert E. Englekirk
Research Purpose: The goal of the project that this study is part of is to advance current Rational Seismic Design (RSD) procedures for concrete frame-braced buildings located in regions of high seismicity, by developing alternative structural systems that will meet or exceed the performance objectives of currently prescribed systems, yet reduce construction costs. This grant supports a static testing phase necessary to develop and evaluate the efficacy and cost of several alternative frame solutions. The study will serve as a base from which extensive shake table testing of large-scale frame systems can be developed.
Deliverable: Design guidelines for concrete frame-braced buildings, developed to comply with UBC Section 1921.2.1.5, for use by practicing engineers in the design of frame-braced buildings in high seismic zones.

Title: Corrugated Metal Shear Walls

Industry Champion: Steve Tipping, Tipping-Mar Structural Engineers
Research Purpose: To develop an alternative lateral bracing system comprising corrugated metal shear walls, for use with light gauge metal framing for building structures in all seismic zones.
Deliverable: A complete design procedure for corrugated metal shear walls ready to be employed in commercial building design and construction.

Title: Building Information Model (BIM) for Precast Concrete

Industry Champion: HKS, Inc.
Research Purpose: To define the functional requirements for a BIM Standard for precast concrete, focusing on the multiple exchanges between architect and precast contractor. Document the process and workflows and monitor the costs and benefits associated with the new data presentation.
Deliverable: A national BIM standard for precast concrete that can be formally incorporated in the National BIM Standard.

Title: CPF Endowment Grant, SPUR Urban Center

Industry Champion: SPUR
Research Purpose: To support development of SPUR's new Urban Center building and enable SPUR to support CPF, for a 15-year period, with a range of services such as archiving and public dissemination of CPF research products and information.
Deliverable: SPUR will provide CPF with research archiving and will conduct symposia, exhibits and other venues to provide the public with information about and access to CPF research outcomes.

Title: Energizing Innovation in Integrated Project Delivery

Industry Champion: Joint Advisory Board for the FIS/CPF Partnership
Research Purpose: To enhance the ability of the construction industry to innovate in its delivery of construction projects through integrated project delivery processes, by determining the factors that impact innovation on a project and the practices and processes that encourage and facilitate innovation.
Deliverable: Definitive guidance to integrated project delivery practitioners that will assist them in energizing innovation in the field.

Title: Design Procedure for Thin Shear Walls in High Seismic Zones

Industry Champion: Robert E. Englekirk
Research Purpose: To test the seismic efficacy of a thin wall type of shear wall that has the potential to provide safer buildings in the six- to seven-story range to effectively meet California's growing need for lower cost buildings.
Deliverable: A Design Guideline document that can be used to design thin shear wall elements on buildings in high seismic zones, and secure code adoption.

Title: Cementious Structural Insulated Panels for Multi-Story Buildings

Industry Champion: Architectural Engineering Insitute of ASCE
Research Purpose: The project goal is to select a preferred design and to deliver a complete design procedure for a cementitious structural insulated panel (CSIP) system, ready to be employed on actual, multi-story building construction projects and to be adopted by building construction practitioners and their customers.
Deliverable: The Multi-Story CSIP Design Procedure Document, which will detail final proposed procedures for designing and constructing CSIP panel elements in multi-story buildings, suitable for use by architects and engineers as the sole source of technical information.

Title: Design Procedure for Precast Concrete Diaphragm System for High Seismic Zones

Industry Champion: PCI Development of Seismic Design Methodology (DSDM) Task Force
Research Purpose: To develop a precast concrete diaphragm system comprised of untopped double tee units and a combination of ductile and strong connectors, using full-scale testing of components and half-scale shake table testing.
Deliverable: Design procedure documents suitable for code adoption and for use in building design and construction practice.

Title: Enhancing and Expanding Innovation in the Construction Industry

Industry Champion: CII
Research Purpose: To develop a framework for analyzing, adopting and fostering innovations to support a construction organization's strategic competitiveness objectives and enhance construction project operations and processes.
Deliverable: A practical "How To" guide that will provide construction firms with an innovation audit tool, an economic decision support tool, a set of metrics, discussion of the direct and indirect benefits of innovation, and other guidelines that will enable firms to expand their use of innovations in industrial and commercial building construction.

Grantmaking for Research: The CPF Process

CPF research grantmaking involves a four-step process:

1. Receive Research Need Statements that align well with our Research Program Focus.
2. For qualified Research Need Statements, CPF will issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to one research entity that is highly qualified to perform the research.
3. Grantseeker's Proposal is evaluated in terms of Foundation objectives and financial resources.
4. Award a Research Grant Agreement based on terms and conditions negotiated that are negotiated with the grantseeker's organization.

Information for Grantseekers:

The first step for a prospective grantseeker is to develop and submit a Research Need Statement (RNS) that describes clearly and concisely the need for and the purpose of the proposed research project. An RNS is not a proposal. Grantseekers should study closely the Foundation's Research Program Focus and Guidelines for Research Need Statements. To qualify for an RFP, an RNS must align very well with the provisions of these two guidelines. In particular, it is imperative that an "industry champion" (i.e., a professional building design and construction practitioner who attests to the market need for and value of the proposed research) be a party to the RNS, and be committed to participating in the project. An RNS may be submitted at any time.

The Foundation awards research grants to qualified non-profit entities. As an exception, for-profit entities may qualify for grant awards under special "Expenditure Responsibility" provisions. All products of CPF research grants must be made available in the public domain without restriction. A project budget is not needed at the RNS stage, but will be requested if the project qualifies for a subsequent CPF Request for Proposal.

Unsolicited research proposals, in the absence of a completed RNS that has been qualified by the Executive Director, will not be accepted and will be returned unopened.

Funding Cycle

The Foundation will receive and consider RNS's at any time. Research grant awards will be made on a quarterly basis upon approval of the Foundation Board of Directors.

Questions about the CPF research grant program should be addressed to: info@pankowfoundation.org.