Application of spatial lateral constrained loading feedback control method in pseudo-static testing

Abstract

In seismic performance testing of structures, the accurate boundary condition is the key to guarantee the accuracy of testing results. The one-way pseudo-static testing is the most common loading method in civil engineering seismic testing. However, the structures are all spatial structures in practice, therefore, the lateral constraints on specimen are necessary in one-way pseudo-static testing. The reaction devices are used to constrain the specimen laterally in traditional loading method, but the traditional loading method has some disadvantages such as high cost, large occupation of space and so on. In order to avoid those disadvantages of traditional loading method, a spatial lateral constrained loading feedback control method is proposed in this paper. In this method, the main direction loading and lateral constrain of the specimen are realized by the actuators, and the accurate control of the constraint boundary can be achieved by adjusting the position of the lateral constrained actuators. In order to verify the accuracy and feasibility of the proposed method, a pseudo-static testing of a full-scale two-story three-span single concrete frame is conducted. The experimental results show that the proposed method is reliable, and the experiment accuracy can be guaranteed.