Real Time Hybrid Simulation of Two R/C Frames Tested on Shake Tables; Validation and Applications. *

Wassim Ghannoum (P.I.)
University of Texas, Austin (UT)
Alain Le Maoult (CO-P.I.)
Commissariat a Lé Energie Atomique, Saclay France (CEA)
Abbie Liel (CO-P.I.)
University of Colorado, Boulder (CU)
Frederic Ragueneau (Co-P.I.)
LMT, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Cachan, France (LMT)
Victor Saouma (CO-P.I., Coordinator)
University of Colorado, Boulder (CU)

This international collaborative research capitalizes on two sets of shake table tests (performed in Berkeley and in France), and seeks to assess the feasibility of a more extensive investigation yet at a fraction of the cost through Real Time Hybrid Simulation. More specifically, the objectives are:

Comparison of seismic design between European and American practices.
Validation and comparison of analytical and behavioral reinforced concrete frame models developed through NSF funded shaking table experiments (1:3 scale) in Berkeley and FRP retrofitted reinforced concrete frames experiments (1:1 scale) at the CEA.
Refinement, based on experimental tests, of concrete models in numerical codes (CASTEM, OpenSees and Mercury).
Implementation, and possible refinement, of the force control method proposed by Sivaselvan for real time hybrid simulation.
Quantification of (earthquake related) rate effects in reinforced concrete with and without FRP retrofit.
Assessment of the feasibility of real time hybrid simulation for reinforced concrete, and the maximum size of the numerical model which can be simulated.
Evaluation of the effectiveness of FRP retrofit for seismically damaged structural elements.
Improved performance-based predictions of collapse risk in non-ductile reinforced concrete frame structures, accounting for the vertical (gravity) column collapse mode.
International collaboration amongst French and American researchers.

Specimen and actuator setup

Lab configuration

Berkeley test

France (CEA) test

* This project is funded by the State of Colorado.