Multi-Dimensional Hybrid Simulation Using a Six-Actuator Self-Reaction Loading System

Abstract eng:
Hybrid simulation is an effective method for the assessment of the seismic response of structures, combining laboratory testing, computational analysis, and numerical time-step integration of the equations of motion. While this approach has been used for evaluation of the seismic performance of a variety of structures, applications to date have been limited to planner loading and to relatively simple structural systems. The objective of this study is to develop a multi-dimensional hybrid simulation framework using a six-actuator, self-reaction, loading system for evaluation of the seismic performance of large and complex structural systems. The framework includes the development of versatile mixed load and displacement control strategy that is critical to imposing simultaneously the gravity load in the axial direction and the earthquake-induced deformation in other directions on test specimen. To demonstrate a multi-dimensional hybrid simulation, hybrid simulation of a skew reinforced concrete (RC) bridge is conducted. In the hybrid simulation, a small-scale RC pier is tested experimentally using the mixed load and displacement control, while the rest of the piers and the bridge deck are modeled and analyzed computationally. The experimental results show that the multi-dimensional hybrid simulation with versatile six degrees-of-freedom loading capability is a promising approach that provides a reliable means for evaluation of the seismic performance of large and complex structural systems.

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