Reproducing ground motions with shaking tables with limited stroke

Y. Ribakov, G. Agranovich

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Shaking tables are widely used for testing structural models under earthquake excitations. Real ground motions are reproduced by a moving shaking table platform, which is controlled according to appropriate algorithm that considers the limitations in the platform's maximum displacement. Usually the real ground motion record is scaled to allow reproduction within the platform stroke limitations. Such scaling yields distortion in the spectrum of a ground motion record and the influence of the earthquake on the tested structure. A method for minimization of the undesired effects was developed by the authors previously. It was based on linear models of the tested structure. Closeness of power spectral density and response spectra were chosen as the main optimization criteria of scaling. As known, strong earthquakes lead to nonlinear effects in structural response. Additionally, supplemental dampers that are widely applied in order to enhance the structural seismic response have essentially non-linear characteristics. This should be considered in shaking table testing, including the earthquakes scaling. An earthquake record scaling method, proposed in the present study, is based on criteria that are more consistent with nonlinear nature of the investigated structure. Therefore, it has a much wider range of applications for investigating both linear and nonlinear behavior of structural models. A mathematical formulation of the problem is developed. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated by comparing the total earthquake energy and response spectrums of real and simulated earthquakes as well as by comparative evaluation of the distortions of their time histories. Additionally, response of a multistorey structural model to real and simulated seismic records is compared. It is shown that using the proposed method for scaling real ground motions yields more accurate reproduction and causes minimum distorsions.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 11th International Conference on Computational Structures Technology, CST 2012
PublisherCivil-Comp Press
Volume99
ISBN (Print)9781905088546
StatePublished - 2012
Event11th International Conference on Computational Structures Technology, CST 2012 - Dubrovnik, Croatia
Duration: 4 Sep 20127 Sep 2012

Conference

Conference11th International Conference on Computational Structures Technology, CST 2012
Country/TerritoryCroatia
CityDubrovnik
Period4/09/127/09/12

Keywords

  • Ground motion record
  • Optimization criteria
  • Response spectra
  • Scaling
  • Shaking table platform

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Computational Theory and Mathematics
  • Artificial Intelligence

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