Personal information

structural engineering, steel structures, cold-formed steel, system behavior, earthquake engineering, experimental testing
United States

Biography

Dr. Kara Peterman is a structural engineering experimentalist who joined the department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UMass Amherst in September 2016. Dr. Peterman’s research is focused on resilience of steel structures, and she has examined resilience from both a natural hazards and sustainability perspective, experimentally testing steel systems ranging from the connection-level to full scale buildings. To date, Dr. Peterman’s research has improved and informed current design codes, and she is a voting member of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) Committee on Specifications and Committee on Framing Standards to further the dissemination of her work. In 2020, she was elected to the Executive Committee and serves as the Chair of the Education Committee. She also chairs the Thin-Walled Structures Task Group of the Structural Stability Research Council (SSRC). Dr. Peterman has been an affiliated investigator with the Cold-Formed Steel Research Consortium (CFSRC) since 2015, and has focused her work at UMass on identifying and characterizing load transfer mechanisms in cold-formed steel structures, investigating the interactions between structural systems.

Activities

Employment (2)

University of Massachusetts Amherst: Amherst, MA, US

2016-09-01 to present | Assistant Professor (Civil and Environmental Engineering)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman

Northeastern University: Boston, MA, US

2014-06-01 to 2016-08-31 | Postdoctoral Research Associate (Civil and Environmental Engineering)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman

Education and qualifications (3)

Johns Hopkins University: Baltimore, MD, US

2011-09-01 to 2014-08-28 | PhD, Civil Engineering (Civil Engineering)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman

Johns Hopkins University: Baltimore, MD, US

2009-09-01 to 2011-08-31 | MS, Civil Engineering (Civil Engineering)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman

Swarthmore College: Swarthmore, PA, US

2005-09-01 to 2009-06-01 | BS, Engineering (Engineering)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman

Professional activities (6)

Structural Stability Research Council: Rolla, MO, US

Task Group Chair
Membership
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman

American Society of Civil Engineers: Reston, VA, US

M., ASCE
Membership
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman

Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute: Washington, D.C., US

2020 to present | Executive Committee
Membership
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman

American Iron and Steel Institute: Washington D.C., District of Columbia, US

2018 to present | Member (Committee on Specifications, Committee on Framing Standards)
Membership
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman

American Society of Civil Engineers: Reston, Virginia, US

2019 | Journal of Structural Engineering Outstanding Reviewer
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman

American Society of Civil Engineers: Reston, Virginia, US

2018 | Norman Medal
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman

Works (41)

Physical damage‐hysteretic response correlation for steel sheet sheathed cold‐formed steel‐framed wall‐lines

Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics
2024-03 | Journal article
Contributors: Amanpreet Singh; Xiang Wang; Zhidong Zhang; Kara D. Peterman; Benjamin W. Schafer; Tara C. Hutchinson
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Postbuckling behavior and imperfection sensitivity of elastic–plastic periodic plate-lattice materials

Extreme Mechanics Letters
2022-01 | Journal article
Contributors: Fani Derveni; Andrew J. Gross; Kara D. Peterman; Simos Gerasimidis
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Cyclic experiments on isolated steel sheet connections for CFS framed steel sheet sheathed shear walls with new configurations

Engineering Structures
2021-10 | Journal article
Contributors: Zhidong Zhang; Amanpreet Singh; Fani Derveni; Shahabeddin Torabian; Kara D. Peterman; Tara C. Hutchinson; Benjamin W. Schafer
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Experimental and numerical investigation of fixed-height cold-formed steel wall assemblies bearing on concrete slabs

Thin-Walled Structures
2021-09 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 0263-8231
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman

Structural performance of axially- and laterally-loaded cantilevers with thermally-improved detailing

Journal of Constructional Steel Research
2021-06 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 0143-974X
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman

High-Fidelity Finite Element Modeling of Wood-Sheathed Cold-Formed Steel Shear Walls

Journal of Structural Engineering
2021-02 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 0733-9445
Part of ISSN: 1943-541X
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman

Moment-rotation response of cold-formed steel joist-to-ledger connections with variable-finishes in ledger-framed construction

Journal of Constructional Steel Research
2021-01 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 0143-974X
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman

Nonlinear Fastener-Based Modeling of Cold-Formed Steel Shear Walls

Structures Congress 2020 - Selected Papers from the Structures Congress 2020
2020 | Conference paper
EID:

2-s2.0-85083079332

Contributors: Derveni, F.; Gerasimidis, S.; Peterman, K.D.
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman via Scopus - Elsevier

Seismic Performance of Symmetric Unfinished CFS In-Line Wall Systems

Structures Congress 2020 - Selected Papers from the Structures Congress 2020
2020 | Conference paper
EID:

2-s2.0-85083081107

Contributors: Singh, A.; Wang, X.; Torabian, S.; Hutchinson, T.C.; Peterman, K.D.; Schafer, B.W.
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman via Scopus - Elsevier

Testing of oxyacetylene weld strength

Journal of Constructional Steel Research
2020 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-85082697610

Part of ISBN:

0143974X

Contributors: Civjan, S.A.; Guihan, T.; Peterman, K.
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman via Scopus - Elsevier

Behavior of cold-formed steel shear walls sheathed with high-capacity sheathing

Engineering Structures
2020-12 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 0141-0296
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman

Structural Performance of Steel Shelf Angles with Thermally Improved Detailing

Journal of Structural Engineering
2020-07 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 0733-9445
Part of ISSN: 1943-541X
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

Capturing cold-formed steel shear wall behavior through nonlinear fastener-based modeling

Structural Stability Research Council Annual Stability Conference 2019, SSRC 2019
2019 | Conference paper
EID:

2-s2.0-85066243667

Contributors: Derveni, F.; Gerasimidis, S.; Peterman, K.D.
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman via Scopus - Elsevier

Influence of mechanical and geometric uncertainty on rack connection structural response

Journal of Constructional Steel Research
2019 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-85055914391

Part of ISBN:

0143974X

Contributors: Gusella, F.; Arwade, S.R.; Orlando, M.; Peterman, K.D.
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman via Scopus - Elsevier

On the required ductility in beams and connections to allow a redistribution of moments in steel frame structures

Engineering Structures
2019 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-85056617961

Part of ISBN:

18737323 01410296

Contributors: Gusella, F.; Orlando, M.; Peterman, K.D.
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman via Scopus - Elsevier

The impact of bearing conditions on the stability behavior of cold-formed steel stud assemblies

Structural Stability Research Council Annual Stability Conference 2019, SSRC 2019
2019 | Conference paper
EID:

2-s2.0-85070842970

Contributors: Abbas Joorabchian; Zhanjie Li; Peterman, K.D.
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman via Scopus - Elsevier

A partial-distributed damage method for progressive collapse of 3D steel composite buildings

Proceedings of the Structural Stability Research Council Annual Stability Conference 2018
2018 | Conference paper
EID:

2-s2.0-85048348305

Contributors: Derveni, F.; Pantidis, P.; Gerasimidis, S.; Peterman, K.D.
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman via Scopus - Elsevier

Behavior of cold-formed steel metal industrial buildings

Wei-Wen Yu International Specialty Conference on Cold-Formed Steel Structures 2018 - Recent Research and Developments in Cold-Formed Steel Design and Construction
2018 | Conference paper
EID:

2-s2.0-85062791859

Contributors: Early, A.M.; Ebrahim Mohammadi, M.; Wood, R.L.; Peterman, K.D.
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman via Scopus - Elsevier

Computational modeling of joist-to-ledger connections in cold-formed steel diaphragms

Wei-Wen Yu International Specialty Conference on Cold-Formed Steel Structures 2018 - Recent Research and Developments in Cold-Formed Steel Design and Construction
2018 | Conference paper
EID:

2-s2.0-85062801841

Contributors: Castaneda, H.; Peterman, K.D.
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman via Scopus - Elsevier

Stability of wall-diaphragm connections in cold-formed steel framed buildings

Proceedings of the Structural Stability Research Council Annual Stability Conference 2018
2018 | Conference paper
EID:

2-s2.0-85048320820

Contributors: Castaneda, H.; Ayhan, D.; Schafer, B.W.; Peterman, K.D.
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman via Scopus - Elsevier

The impact of bearing conditions on the behavior of cold-formed steel stud assemblies

Wei-Wen Yu International Specialty Conference on Cold-Formed Steel Structures 2018 - Recent Research and Developments in Cold-Formed Steel Design and Construction
2018 | Conference paper
EID:

2-s2.0-85062769880

Contributors: Joorabchian, A.; Li, Z.; Peterman, K.D.
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman via Scopus - Elsevier

Using photogrammetry-based imperfection measurement tools to determine the impact of corner radii imperfection on cold-formed steel member strength

Proceedings of the Structural Stability Research Council Annual Stability Conference 2018
2018 | Conference paper
EID:

2-s2.0-85048333852

Contributors: Joorabchian, A.; Peterman, K.D.
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman via Scopus - Elsevier

End plate stability in thermally-improved steel cladding details

Proceedings of the Annual Stability Conference Structural Stability Research Council 2017
2017 | Conference paper
EID:

2-s2.0-85019456404

Contributors: Peterman, K.D.; Webster, M.D.; D'Aloisio, J.A.; Hajjar, J.F.
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman via Scopus - Elsevier

Modeling seismic response of a full-scale cold-formed steel-framed building

Engineering Structures
2017 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-85033730749

Part of ISBN:

18737323 01410296

Contributors: Leng, J.; Peterman, K.D.; Bian, G.; Buonopane, S.G.; Schafer, B.W.
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman via Scopus - Elsevier

Thermal Break Strategies for Cladding Systems in Building Structures

Charles Pankow Foundation
2017-05-01 | Report
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman

Experimental Seismic Response of a Full-Scale Cold-Formed Steel-Framed Building. I: System-Level Response

Journal of Structural Engineering (United States)
2016 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-84996558114

Part of ISBN:

07339445

Contributors: Peterman, K.D.; Stehman, M.J.J.; Madsen, R.L.; Buonopane, S.G.; Nakata, N.; Schafer, B.W.
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman via Scopus - Elsevier

Experimental Seismic Response of a Full-Scale Cold-Formed Steel-Framed Building. II: Subsystem-Level Response

Journal of Structural Engineering (United States)
2016 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-84996486502

Part of ISBN:

07339445

Contributors: Peterman, K.D.; Stehman, M.J.J.; Madsen, R.L.; Buonopane, S.G.; Nakata, N.; Schafer, B.W.
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman via Scopus - Elsevier

Seismic Response and Engineering of Cold-formed Steel Framed Buildings

Structures
2016 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-84971623115

Part of ISBN:

23520124

Contributors: Schafer, B.W.; Ayhan, D.; Leng, J.; Liu, P.; Padilla-Llano, D.; Peterman, K.D.; Stehman, M.; Buonopane, S.G.; Eatherton, M.; Madsen, R. et al.
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman via Scopus - Elsevier

Thermal and structural response of thermal break strategies in steel building systems

CAMX 2016 - Composites and Advanced Materials Expo
2016 | Conference paper
EID:

2-s2.0-85010030903

Contributors: Peterman, K.D.; Moradei, J.; D'Aloisio, J.; Webster, M.; Hajjar, J.F.
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman via Scopus - Elsevier

Torsion of cold-formed steel lipped channels dominated by warping response

Thin-Walled Structures
2016 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-84946615349

Part of ISBN:

02638231

Contributors: Bian, G.; Peterman, K.D.; Torabian, S.; Schafer, B.W.
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman via Scopus - Elsevier

Experimental and computational analysis of direct torsion in cold-formed steel lipped channels

Structural Stability Research Council Annual Stability Conference 2014, SSRC 2014
2014 | Conference paper
EID:

2-s2.0-84907407421

Contributors: Peterman, K.D.; Bian, G.; Schafer, B.W.
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman via Scopus - Elsevier

Experimental seismic behavior of the CFS-NEES building: System- level performance of a full-scale two-story light steel framed building

22nd International Specialty Conference on Recent Research and Developments in Cold-Formed Steel Design and Construction
2014 | Conference paper
EID:

2-s2.0-84925938747

Contributors: Peterman, K.D.; Madsen, R.L.; Schafer, B.W.
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman via Scopus - Elsevier

Hysteretic characterization of cold-formed steel stud-to-sheathing connections

Journal of Constructional Steel Research
2014 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-84903137173

Part of ISBN:

0143974X

Contributors: Peterman, K.D.; Nakata, N.; Schafer, B.W.
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman via Scopus - Elsevier

Impact of construction details on OSB-sheathed cold-formed steel framed shear walls

Journal of Constructional Steel Research
2014 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-84902247195

Part of ISBN:

0143974X

Contributors: Liu, P.; Peterman, K.D.; Schafer, B.W.
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman via Scopus - Elsevier

Seismic performance of full-scale cold-formed steel buildings

NCEE 2014 - 10th U.S. National Conference on Earthquake Engineering: Frontiers of Earthquake Engineering
2014 | Conference paper
EID:

2-s2.0-84929011653

Contributors: Peterman, K.D.; Stehman, M.J.J.; Buonopane, S.G.; Nakata, N.; Madsen, R.L.; Schafer, B.W.
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman via Scopus - Elsevier

Sheathed cold-formed steel studs under axial and lateral load

Journal of Structural Engineering (United States)
2014 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-84929077430

Part of ISBN:

07339445

Contributors: Peterman, K.D.; Schafer, B.W.
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman via Scopus - Elsevier

Stability behavior of full-scale cold-formed steel buildings under seismic excitations

Structural Stability Research Council Annual Stability Conference 2014, SSRC 2014
2014 | Conference paper
EID:

2-s2.0-84907398914

Contributors: Peterman, K.D.; Stehman, M.J.J.; Buonopane, S.G.; Nakata, N.; Madsen, R.L.; Schafer, B.W.
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman via Scopus - Elsevier

The CFS-NEES effort: Advancing cold-formed steel earthquake engineering

NCEE 2014 - 10th U.S. National Conference on Earthquake Engineering: Frontiers of Earthquake Engineering
2014 | Conference paper
EID:

2-s2.0-84929008776

Contributors: Schafer, B.W.; Ayhan, D.; Leng, J.; Liu, P.; Padilla-Llano, D.; Peterman, K.D.; Stehman, M.; Buonopane, S.G.; Eatherton, M.; Madsen, R. et al.
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman via Scopus - Elsevier

Characterization of cold-formed steel shear wall behavior under cyclic loading for the CFS-NEES building

21st International Specialty Conference on Cold-Formed Steel Structures - Recent Research and Developments in Cold-Formed Steel Design and Construction
2012 | Conference paper
EID:

2-s2.0-84873355203

Contributors: Liu, P.; Peterman, K.D.; Yu, C.; Schafer, B.W.
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman via Scopus - Elsevier

Cold-formed steel shear walls in ledger-framed buildings

Structural Stability Research Council Annual Stability Conference 2012
2012 | Conference paper
EID:

2-s2.0-84866283325

Contributors: Liu, P.; Peterman, K.D.; Yu, C.; Schafer, B.W.
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman via Scopus - Elsevier

Stability of sheathed cold-formed steel studs under axial load and bending

Structural Stability Research Council Annual Stability Conference 2012
2012 | Conference paper
EID:

2-s2.0-84866305232

Contributors: Peterman, K.D.; Schafer, B.W.
Source: Self-asserted source
Kara Peterman via Scopus - Elsevier

Peer review (5 reviews for 1 publication/grant)

Review activity for Journal of structural engineering. (5)