STUDY OF THE LOADING ARRANGEMENT FOR THE STIFFNESS TESTS OF THE COLUMN HEAD ASSEMBLY AND ITS SPRINGS UTILIZED AT THE NIARCHOS CULTURAL CENTER AT ATHENS - GREECE.

Abstract eng:
This paper presents the loading arrangements that were conceived and constructed in order to tests in prototype scale the performance of the suspension devices (Column Head Assembly specimens) that are part of the total suspension system of the roof deck that will be constructed at the top of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center that is currently constructed at Athens, Greece. Each suspension device utilizes 4 springs with a tensile capacity of two hundred tons and a corresponding extension of 300mm and two dampers with a maximum damping force of the order of 10tons. These springs and dampers form together with a stiff steel reaction frame and a sliding billet the column head assembly (suspension device) with overall dimension approximately 4.4m x 4.4m in plan and 2.5m height. The billet can slide vertically within the core of the column head assembly approximately 250mm and withstand a vertical force of the order of 300tons. In order to test the performance of these column head assemblies at the laboratory prior to their being used in-situ a special loading arrangement was manufactured at the laboratory of Strength of Materials and Structures of Aristotle University. The basic loading functions of the suspension system of the roof deck that is to be constructed at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center is briefly described as well as how this was simulated at the laboratory of Strength of Materials and Structures of Aristotle University in order to measure the performance of prototype suspension device specimens prior to being installed in-situ. A special loading rig was designed and finally constructed to be utilized in the prototype testing of the performance of the springs. A series of linear and non-linear numerical simulations were employed towards securing the safe performance of this loading rig during the testing of the said springs.

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