PSEUDO-DYNAMIC TEST SETUP

Abstract

Dynamic testing of large scale structures is important to understand the behaviour of the structure when the structure is subjected to a seismic event. Over the years many testing procedure have developed and updated depending on the requirements such as type, dimension of the structure and the principle of loading on the structure. Pseudo-dynamic testing procedure is one of the recent developments in this field of research where large scale structures are tested, analysed and realistic behaviour of the structure is developed during the testing. This method of testing uses the computer simulations where the role of numerical methods are very important. This method has produced effective results of testing and could be considered as one of the better alternatives to the conventional type of testing such as shaking table tests, quasi-static tests and other innovative methods. However, like other testing methods the pseudo-dynamic testing method has shown certain limitations and errors which are still to be understood and develop techniques to mitigate them. In context to this, literature review has been done on the method and methodology of pseudodynamic testing to further develop a better understanding and improvise the current technique to produce a reliable method of testing to understand the behaviour of the structure in a much more realistic manner. Analytical models and pseudo-dynamic models have been created and in openSees and openFresco software framework and the results of time period, gravity load and dynamic analysis have been compared for various earthquake events considered.