Shaking table tests on reinforced concrete frames without and with passive control systems

An extensive experimental program of shaking table tests on reduced‐scale structural models was carried out within the activities of the MANSIDE project, for the development of new seismic isolation and energy dissipation devices based on shape memory alloys (SMAs). The aim of the experimental program was to compare the behaviour of structures endowed with innovative SMA‐based devices to the behaviour of conventional structures and of structures endowed with currently used passive control systems. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the main results of the shaking table tests carried out on the models with and without special braces. Two different types of energy dissipating and re‐centring braces have been considered to enhance the seismic performances of the tested model. They are based on the hysteretic properties of steel elements and on the superelastic properties of SMAs, respectively. The addition of passive control braces in the reinforced concrete frame resulted in significant benefits on the overall seismic behaviour. The seismic intensity producing structural collapse was considerably raised, interstorey drifts and shear forces in columns were drastically reduced. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Three‐storey building retrofit: rocking isolation versus conventional design

Although modern seismic codes have undoubtedly led to safer structures, the seismic vulnerability of metropolitan areas is unavoidably governed by that of older buildings, which constitute the vast majority of the current building stock. Quite alarmingly, even relatively moderate intensity earthquakes have been proven capable of challenging their structural integrity, leading to severe damage or collapse. Therefore, there is an urgent need to assess the vulnerability of existing structures and to evaluate the efficiency of novel retrofit techniques. This paper studies experimentally the seismic performance of an existing three‐storey building, retrofitted through addition of shear walls. Emphasis is placed on the foundation of the shear walls, and two design alternatives are comparatively assessed: (a) conventional design according to current seismic codes and (b) ‘rocking isolation’ by reducing the size of the foundation. A series of reduced‐scale shaking table tests are conducted at the Laboratory of Soil Mechanics of the National Technical University of Athens. The physical model encompasses the structural system, along with the foundations, and the soil. The nonlinearity of structural members is simulated through specially designed and carefully calibrated artificial plastic hinges. The vulnerability of the original structure is confirmed, as it is found to collapse with a soft‐storey mechanism when subjected to moderate intensity shaking. The conventionally retrofitted structure is proven capable of sustaining larger intensity shaking, and the rocking‐isolated structure is shown to offer increased safety margins. Thanks to its inherent self‐centering mechanism, the rocking system is characterized by reduced permanent drifts. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Design,test and analysis of a light‐weight dissipative bracing system for seismic protection of structures

The paper deals with the proposal and the experimental validation of a novel dissipative bracing system for the seismic protection of structures; compared with other similar systems, it is characterized by smaller size and weight, which makes it easier to move and to install, as well as particularly suitable to be inserted in light‐framed structures (e.g. steel structures of industrial plants). The proposed system consists of an articulated quadrilateral with steel dissipaters inserted, to be connected by tendons to frame joints; the prototypes have been designed and realized for the seismic protection of a two‐storey, large‐scale, steel frame, specially designed for shaking‐table tests. The paper, after an illustration of the system, and of its design and behaviour, presents the shaking‐table tests carried out. The experimental results have fully validated the proposed system, showing its good performance in controlling the seismic response of framed structures. A numerical non‐linear model, set up and validated on the basis of the physical tests, has been used to help interpreting the experimental results, but also to perform parametrical studies for investigating the influence of the design parameters on the performance of the control system. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Apparent damping induced by spurious pitching in shaking‐table testing

A seismic shaking‐table test performed on a one‐storey steel frame with an 8 ton RC floor slab was reproduced on a similar specimen by means of the pseudo‐dynamic (PsD) method. A satisfactory agreement of the results could only be achieved after recalibration of the theoretical mass in the PsD equation and proper inclusion in the PsD test input of the horizontal and pitching accelerations measured on the table. In the shaking‐table test, the spurious pitching motion produced a significant increase in the apparent damping that could be estimated as a function of the pitching dynamic flexibility of the system. Dynamic and PsD snap‐back tests were also performed to provide an additional check of the reliability of the PsD method. The spurious pitching motion of the shaking table should always be measured during the tests and reported as a mean to increase the reliability and usefulness of the results. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Shaking table tests on seismic response of steel braced frames with column uplift

Previous studies have suggested that rocking vibration accompanied by uplift motion might reduce the seismic damage to buildings subjected to severe earthquake motions. This paper reports on the use of shaking table tests and numerical analyses to evaluate and compare the seismic response of base‐plate‐yielding rocking systems with columns allowed to uplift with that of fixed‐base systems. The study is performed using half‐scale three‐storey, 1 × 2 bay braced steel frames with a total height of 5.3 m. Base plates that yield due to column tension were installed at the base of each column. Two types of base plates with different thicknesses are investigated. The earthquake ground motion used for the tests and analyses is the record of the 1940 El Centro NS component with the time scale shortened by a factor of 1/√2. The maximum input acceleration is scaled to examine the structural response at various earthquake intensities. The column base shears in the rocking frames with column uplift are reduced by up to 52% as compared to the fixed‐base frames. Conversely, the maximum roof displacements of the fixed and rocking frames are about the same. It is also noted that the effect of the vertical impact on the column associated with touchdown of the base plate is small because the difference in tensile and compressive forces is primarily due to the self‐limiting tensile force in the column caused by yielding of the base plate. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Shaking table model test on Shanghai World Financial Center Tower

The height of 101‐storey Shanghai World Financial Center Tower is 492m above ground making it possible the tallest building in the world when completed. Three parallel structural systems including mega‐frame structure, reinforced concrete and braced steel services core and outrigger trusses, are combined to resist vertical and lateral loads. The building could be classified as a vertically irregular structure due to a number of stiffened and transfer stories in the building. Complexities related to structural system layout are mainly exhibited in the design of services core, mega‐diagonals and outrigger trusses. According to Chinese Code, the height 190 m of the building clearly exceeds the stipulated maximum height of for a composite frame/reinforced concrete core building. The aspect ratio of height to width also exceeds the stipulated limit of 7 for seismic design intensity 7. A 1/50 scaled model is made and tested on shaking table under a series of one and two‐dimensional base excitations with gradually increasing acceleration amplitudes. This paper presents the dynamic characteristics, the seismic responses and the failure mechanism of the structure. The test results demonstrate that the structural system is a good solution to withstand earthquakes. The inter‐storey drift and the overall behaviour meet the requirements of Chinese Design Code. Furthermore, weak positions under seldom‐occurred earthquakes of seismic design intensity 8 are found based on the visible damages on the testing model, and some corresponding suggestions are proposed for the engineering design of the structure under extremely strong earthquake. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

SOFIE project – 3D shaking table test on a seven‐storey full‐scale cross‐laminated timber building

Multi‐storey buildings made of cross‐laminated timber panels (X‐lam) are becoming a stronger and economically valid alternative in Europe compared with traditional masonry or concrete buildings. During the design process of these multi‐storey buildings, also their earthquake behaviour has to be addressed, especially in seismic‐prone areas such as Italy. However, limited knowledge on the seismic performance is available for this innovative massive timber product. On the basis of extensive testing series comprising monotonic and reversed cyclic tests on X‐lam panels, a pseudodynamic test on a one‐storey X‐lam specimen and 1D shaking table tests on a full‐scale three‐storey specimen, a full‐scale seven‐storey building was designed according to the European seismic standard Eurocode 8 and subjected to earthquake loading on a 3D shaking table. The building was designed with a preliminary action reduction factor of three that had been derived from the experimental results on the three‐storey building. The outcomes of this comprehensive research project called ‘SOFIE – Sistema Costruttivo Fiemme’ proved the suitability of multi‐storey X‐lam structures for earthquake‐prone regions. The buildings demonstrated self‐centring capabilities and high stiffness combined with sufficient ductility to avoid brittle failures. The tests provided useful information for the seismic design with force‐based methods as defined in Eurocode 8, that is, a preliminary experimentally based action reduction factor of three was confirmed. Valid, ductile joint assemblies were developed, and their importance for the energy dissipation in buildings with rigid X‐lam panels became evident. The seven‐storey building showed relatively high accelerations in the upper storeys, which could lead to secondary damage and which have to be addressed in future research. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

近断层地震作用下基础隔震层组合限位振动台实验研究

近断层脉冲型地震作用下,基础隔震结构隔震层会产生过大变形,导致隔震支座侧倾失稳,隔震体系破坏。设计制作了3层基础隔震钢框架实验模型和11种U型钢板I型铅棒组合限位器,进行了U型钢板静力加载实验和近断层脉冲型地震作用下基础隔震层软碰撞限位振动台模型实验。实验表明：①静力加载时,U型钢板具有很好的弹性性能;②动力作用下,组合限位器残余变形较小,仍具有良好限位复位能力;③近断层地震作用下,基础隔震层软限位效果良好,同时控制上部结构层间变形在允许范围内。     

Investigation of the seismic response of high‐rise buildings supported on tension‐resistant elastomeric isolation bearings

In many applications of seismic isolation, such as in high‐rise construction, lightweight construction, and structures with large height‐to‐width aspect ratios, significant tension forces can develop in bearings, raising concerns about the possible rupture of elastomeric bearings and the uplift of sliding bearings. In this paper, a novel tension‐resistant lead plug rubber bearing (TLRB) with improved tension‐resisting capabilities is developed and experimentally and numerically assessed. This TLRB consists of a common lead plug rubber bearing (LRB) and several helical springs. After describing the theory underlying the behavior of the TLRB, the mechanical properties of reduced‐scale prototype bearings are investigated through extensive horizontal and vertical loading tests. The test results indicate that TLRBs can improve the shear stiffness and tension resistance capacity even under significant tensile loads. A series of shaking table tests on scaled models of high‐rise buildings with different aspect ratios were conducted to investigate the dynamic performance of the TLRB and the seismic responses of base‐isolated high‐rise buildings. Three different cases were considered in the shaking table tests: a fixed base condition and the use of TLRB and LRB isolation systems. The results of the shaking table test show that (a) base‐isolated systems are effective in reducing the structural responses of high‐rise buildings; (b) an isolated structure's aspect ratio is an important factor influencing its dynamic response; (c) TLRBs can endure large tensile stresses and avoid rupture on rubber bearings under strong earthquakes; and (d) the experimental and numerical results of the responses of the models show good agreement. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparative response analysis of conventional and innovative seismic protection strategies

The paper presents a numerical investigation aimed at evaluating the improvements achievable through devices for passive seismic protection of buildings based on the use of shape memory alloys (SMA) in place of conventional steel or rubber devices. To get some generality in the results, different resisting reinforced concrete plane frames were analysed, either protected or not. ‘New’ and ‘existing’ buildings were considered depending on whether seismic provisions are adopted in the building design or not. Base isolation and energy dissipation were equally addressed for both conventional and innovative SMA‐based devices. Fragility analyses were performed using specific damage measures to account for comparisons among different damage types; the results were then used to estimate quantitatively the effectiveness of the various protection systems. More specifically, the assessment involved a direct comparison of the damage reduction provided by each protection system with respect to the severe degradation experienced by the corresponding non‐protected frame. Structural damage, non‐structural damage and damage to contents were used on purpose and included in a subsequent phase of cost analysis to evaluate the expected gains also in terms of economic benefits and life loss prevention. The results indicate that base isolation, when applicable, provides higher degrees of safety than energy dissipation does; moreover, the use of SMA‐based devices generally brings about better performances, also in consideration of the reduced functional and maintenance requirements. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On the acceleration‐based adaptive inverse control of shaking tables

Accurate reproduction of time series with diverse frequency characteristics is a central issue in structural testing. This is true not only for simple experimental tests performed by reaction walls or shaking tables but also for more sophisticated ones, such as hybrid testing. Especially in the latter case, where actual feedback from an ongoing test is used in the calculation of the next excitation value, any possible mismatch may be fatal for both the validity of the test and the safety. The objective of this study is to propose a framework for the adaptive inverse control of shaking tables, which succeeds in this matching to a certain degree. By formulating a critical set of design specifications that correspond to safety, implementation, robustness and ease of use, the conducted research results in a design that is based on a modified version of the filtered‐X algorithm with very competitive features. These are the following: (i) default operation in hard real‐time and acceleration mode; (ii) very low hardware requirements; (iii) effective cancelation of the shaking table's dynamics; and (iv) robustness against specimen dynamics. For its practical evaluation, the method is applied to shaking table waveform replication tests under the installation of an approximately linear specimen of sufficiently high mass and complex geometry. The results are promising and suggest further research toward this field, especially in conjunction with hybrid testing, as the method retains certain global applicability attributes and it can be easily extended to other transfer systems, apart from shaking tables. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基础隔震结构的减震耗能特性分析

根据基础隔震理论,在钢筋沥青隔震礅的基础上,提出一种新型钢结构隔震礅,设计和制作了缩尺房屋模型,并对其进行振动台试验。通过对隔震结构模型的动力特性、地震响应及能量平衡分析,绘制试验过程中的加速度及能量时程曲线,研究钢隔震礅应用于低层框架结构的减震耗能能力。大量工程实例可以看出该隔震礅隔震效果显著,制作简单、价格低廉、耐久性好,适于在广大村镇地区低层框架结构中推广使用。试验表明:隔震结构模型在不同的地震作用下,加速度折减系数处在0.24~0.51之间,且结构的阻尼耗能在振动台试验中占总输入能量的60%~70%,对结构耗能起主导作用,说明该基础隔震装置不仅具有较好的减震耗能特性能,对于控制隔震层的位移也有好的效果。     

Experimental investigation on the seismic response of a steel liquid storage tank equipped with floating roof by shaking table tests

In this paper, the effectiveness of the base isolation on steel storage tanks has been investigated through numerical models and then checked by shaking table tests on a reduced scale (1:14) model of a real steel tank, typically used in petrochemical plants. In the experimental campaign the floating roof has also been taken into account. The tests have been performed on the physical model both in fixed and isolated base configurations; in particular two alternative base isolation systems have been used: high‐damping rubber bearings devices and sliding isolators with elasto‐plastic dampers. Finally, a comparison between experimental and numerical results has also been performed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Shake table testing of un‐reinforced brick masonry building test model isolated by U‐FREI

This paper presents a detailed study on feasibility of un‐bonded fiber reinforced elastomeric isolator (U‐FREI) as an alternative to steel reinforced elastomeric isolator (SREI) for seismic isolation of un‐reinforced masonry buildings. Un‐reinforced masonry buildings are inherently vulnerable under seismic excitation, and U‐FREIs are used for seismic isolation of such buildings in the present study. Shake table testing of a base isolated two storey un‐reinforced masonry building model subjected to four prescribed input excitations is carried out to ascertain its effectiveness in controlling seismic response. To compare the performance of U‐FREI, same building is placed directly on the shake table without isolator, and fixed base (FB) condition is simulated by restraining the base of the building with the shake table. Dynamic response characteristic of base isolated (BI) masonry building subjected to different intensities of input earthquakes is compared with the response of the same building without base isolation system. Acceleration response amplification and peak response values of test model with and without base isolation system are compared for different intensities of table acceleration. Distribution of shear forces and moment along the height of the structure and response time histories indicates significant reduction of dynamic responses of the structure with U‐FREI system. This study clearly demonstrates the improved seismic performance of un‐reinforced masonry building model supported on U‐FREIs under the action of considered ground motions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Shaking table tests of steel frame with superelastic Cu–Al–Mn SMA tension braces

Shaking table tests are performed on a one‐bay one‐story steel frame with superelastic Cu–Al–Mn shape memory alloy (SMA) tension braces. The frame is subjected to a series of scaled ground motions recorded during the 1995 Kobe earthquake, Japan. The test results demonstrate that the SMA braces are effective to prevent residual deformations and pinching. It is also shown that the time history responses observed from the shaking table tests agree well with the numerical predictions using a rate‐independent piecewise‐linear constitutive model calibrated to the quasi‐static component tests of the SMA braces. This suggests that the loading rate dependence of Cu–Al–Mn SMAs as well as the modeling error due to the piecewise linear approximation can be neglected in capturing the global response of the steel frame. Numerical simulations under a suite of near‐fault ground motion records are further performed using the calibrated analytical models to demonstrate the effectiveness of the SMA braces when the variability of near‐fault ground motions is taken into account. A stopper, or a deformation restraining device, is also proposed to prevent premature fracture of SMA bars in unexpectedly large ground motions while keeping the self‐centering capability in moderate to large ground motions. The effectiveness of the stopper is also demonstrated in the quasi‐static component and shaking table tests. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparison between real‐time dynamic substructuring and shake table testing techniques for nonlinear seismic applications

Results from real‐time dynamic substructuring (RTDS) tests are compared with results from shake table tests performed on a two‐storey steel building structure model. At each storey, the structural system consists of a cantilevered steel column resisting lateral loads in bending. In two tests, a slender diagonal tension‐only steel bracing member was added at the first floor to obtain an unsymmetrical system with highly variable stiffness. Only the first‐storey structural components were included in the RTDS test program and a Rosenbrock‐W linearly implicit integration scheme was adopted for the numerical solution. The tests were performed under seismic ground motions exhibiting various amplitude levels and frequency contents to develop first and second mode‐dominated responses as well as elastic and inelastic responses. A chirp signal was also used. Coherent results were obtained between the shake table and the RTDS testing techniques, indicating that RTDS testing methods can be used to successfully reproduce both the linear and nonlinear seismic responses of ductile structural steel seismic force resisting systems. The time delay introduced by actuator‐control systems was also studied and a novel adaptive compensation scheme is proposed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seismic performance evaluation of plasterboard partitions via shake table tests

The damage of nonstructural components represents the largest contribution to the economic loss caused by an earthquake. Since nonstructural components are not amenable to traditional structural analysis, full-scale experimental testing is crucial to understand their behaviour under earthquake. For this reason, shaking table tests are performed to investigate the seismic behaviour of plasterboard partitions. A steel test frame is properly designed in order to simulate the seismic effects at a generic building storey. The tests are performed shaking the table simultaneously in both horizontal directions. To investigate a wide range of interstorey drift demand and seismic damage, the shakes are performed scaling the accelerograms at eleven different intensity levels. The tested plasterboard partitions from Siniat exhibit a good seismic behaviour, both in their own plane and out of plane, showing limited damage up to 1.1 % interstorey drift ratio. The correlation between the dynamic characteristics of the test setup and the recorded damage is evidenced. Finally, an interesting comparison between the experimental results and the analytical model is also performed.     

Optimized earthquake response of multi‐storey buildings with seismic isolation at various elevations

The response of multi‐storey structures can be controlled under earthquake actions by installing seismic isolators at various storey levels. By vertically distributing isolation devices at various elevations, the designer is provided with numerous options to appropriately adjust the seismic performance of a building. However, introducing seismic isolators at various storey levels is not a straightforward task, as it may lead to favourable or unfavourable structural behaviour depending on a large number of factors. As a consequence, a rather chaotic decision space of seismic isolation configurations arises, within which a favourable solution needs to be located. The search for favourable isolators' configurations is formulated in this work as a single‐objective optimization task. The aim of the optimization process is to minimize the maximum floor acceleration of the building under consideration, while constraints are specified to control the maximum interstorey drift, the maximum base displacement and the total seismic isolation cost. A genetic algorithm is implemented to perform this optimization task, which selectively introduces seismic isolators at various elevations, in order to identify the optimal configuration for the isolators satisfying the pre‐specified constraints. This way, optimized earthquake response of multi‐storey buildings can be obtained. The effectiveness of the proposed optimization procedure in the design of a seismically isolated structure is demonstrated in a numerical study using time‐history analyses of a typical six‐storey building. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Shake table testing on restoring capability of double concave friction pendulum seismic isolation systems

After an earthquake, non‐negligible residual displacements may affect the serviceability of a base isolated structure, if the isolation system does not possess a good restoring capability. The permanent offset does not affect the performance unless the design is problematic for utilities, also considering possible concerns related to the maintenance of the devices. Starting from experimental and analytical results of previous studies, the restoring capability of Double Concave Friction Pendulum bearings is investigated in this paper. A simplified design suggestion for the estimation of maximum expected residual displacements for currently used friction pendulum systems is then validated. The study is based on controlled‐displacement and seismic input experiments, both performed under unidirectional motion. Several shaking table tests have been carried out on a three‐dimensional isolated specimen structure. The same sequence of seismic inputs was applied considering three different conditions of sliding surfaces corresponding to low, medium and high friction. The accumulation of residual displacements is also investigated by means of nonlinear dynamic analysis. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental investigation on a base isolation system incorporating steel–Teflon sliders and pressurized fluid viscous spring dampers

An experimental investigation on a base isolation system incorporating stainless steel–Teflon bearings as sliders, and pressurized fluid viscous spring dampers, is presented in this paper. In the system examined, dampers are connected to the base floor of an isolated building to provide the desired passive control of response in the superstructure, as well as to guarantee that it re‐centres completely after the termination of a seismic action. Two types of experiments were conducted: sinusoidal and random cyclic tests, and a pseudodynamic test in ‘substructured’ configuration. The cyclic tests were aimed at characterizing what follows: the hysteretic and strain‐rate‐dependent response of the considered highly non‐linear spring dampers; the normal pressure‐ and strain‐rate‐dependent frictional behaviour of steel–Teflon bearings, manufactured in compliance with the latest standards for this class of sliders; and the combined response of their assembly. The pseudodynamic test simulated the installation of the protection system at the base of a 2:3‐scale three‐storey steel frame structure, already tested in unprotected conditions by an earlier experimental campaign. Among other findings, the results of the performed tests, as well as of relevant mechanical interpretation and numerical simulation analyses, confirmed the linear additive combination of the dissipative actions of spring dampers and sliders in this mixed installation, and the high protective performance of the considered base isolation/supplemental damping system in a realistic earthquake simulation. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.