Comparison of Dynamic Response of Reinforced Concrete Bridge Piers Using Slow and Real-Time Hybrid Simulations

Abstract eng:
Hybrid simulation is an efficient testing method for investigating the seismic response of a structure. Unlike slow hybrid simulation, real-time hybrid simulation can effectively account for the rate-dependency of structures by imposing the target displacement on an experimental specimen in a real-time manner. In this paper, the loading rate effect of a reinforced concrete pier is experimentally investigated through the slow and real-time hybrid simulations. The concrete pier is used to support a two-span bridge. The nonlinear response of the bridge under earthquake loads is accurately accounted for by physically testing the concrete pier in a laboratory, while the superstructure of the bridge is analytically modeled. Prior to conducting hybrid simulations, cyclic load tests for the concrete pier are conducted with a predefined displacement history at different loading rates. Then, a series of slow and real-time hybrid simulations are conducted to investigate the loading rate effect on the seismic response of the concrete structure. It was found that the strength and the energy dissipation capacity of the concrete pier are increased with a high loading rate, where the global response of the bridge is also affected by the rate-dependency effect.

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