Lightning impacts operations at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) and other outdoor venues leading to injuries, inconvenience, and detrimental economic impacts. This research focuses on cases of “nonisolated” lightning which we define as one cell whose flashes have ceased although it is still embedded in weak composite reflectivity (Z ≥ 15 dBZ) with another cell that is still producing flashes. The objective is to determine if any radar‐derived parameters provide useful information about the occurrence of lightning cessation in remnant storms. The data set consists of 50 warm season (May–September) nonisolated storms near KSC during 2013. The research utilizes the National Lightning Detection Network, the second generation Lightning Detection and Ranging network, and polarized radar data. These data are merged and analyzed using the Warning Decision Support System‐Integrated Information at 1 min intervals. Our approach only considers 62 parameters, most of which are related to the noninductive charging mechanism. They included the presence of graupel at various thermal altitudes, maximum reflectivity of the decaying storm at thermal altitudes, maximum connecting composite reflectivity between the decaying cell and active cell, minutes since the previous flash, and several others. Results showed that none of the parameters reliably indicated lightning cessation for even our restrictive definition of nonisolated storms. Additional research is needed before cessation can be determined operationally with the high degree of accuracy required for safety.

Although post-tensioned wide band beams are an extremely common structural floor system in Australia, very little is known about their performance under seismic loading. This study presents the results of two half-scale exterior post-tensioned wide band beam to column connections under seismic loading. The specimens were designed and detailed in accordance with current Australian practice to AS 3600-2009 to resist gravity loading only. The first specimen had tendons evenly distributed throughout the beam width, while the second specimen had the outer tendons moved much closer to the column side face. Both specimens performed similarly and torsional damage to the edge beam was critical. Both specimens achieved drifts of 3.0% or higher prior to significant loss in capacity, which is greater than the imposed maximum drift limit in most design codes. A 3D finite element parametric analysis was undertaken using the experimental results to calibrate the model. In addition to ensuring all reinforcement is properly anchored, this analysis confirmed the importance of the edge beam in the behaviour of the overall connection. Providing closed ligatures in the edge beam to the side face of the column was found to be critical to ensuring overall ductility of the connection, as well as minimising additional torsion placed on the edge beam by concentrating reinforcement within the column width where possible.