Sub-Structured Pseudodynamic Testing of Rate-Dependent Bridge Isolation Devices
Despite the continuous evolution of the pseudo-dynamic testing method, the unrealistic testing speed still constitutes a barrier when testing loading rate-sensitive devices. A special procedure accounting for the strain-rate effect of two different types of bridge isolation devices, is presented herein. The procedure consists of a series of simple, sinusoidal-type, characterization tests conducted at different speed, which ultimately yield appropriate force-compensation factors to compensate the, otherwise ignored, strain-rate effect. The procedure is applied to characterize the dynamic response of both, a low-damping elastomeric bearing isolator and a special electro-inductive energy dissipation device.
The response of a multi-span, seismically isolated highway bridge is then experimentally studied by sub-structuring, with on-line correction of measured reaction forces to account for the velocity-dependent properties of the isolation devices. The experimental results obtained showed that the procedure can be employed to account for the force modification in testing rate-dependent isolation devices at reduced speed.
PALIOS Xenofon;
MOLINA RUIZ Francisco Javier;
BOUSIAS Stathis;
STREPELIAS Elias;
FARDIS Michael;
2007-12-19
Tongji University
JRC40314
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