Real-time hybrid simulation on high strength steel frame with Y-shaped eccentric braces

Abstract

In recent years, real-time hybrid simulation (RTHS) has been widely examined by researchers as a new, economical, and reliable seismic testing technology for structural analysis. In this paper, RTHS is applied to the space structure experiment of a high strength steel frame with Y-shaped eccentric braces (HSYE). First, the proposed RTHS method utilized the upper stories of the prototype as the experimental substructure, and the lower stories was taken as the numerical substructure and simulated in finite element software. Then, the OpenFresco test platform and xPC-Target with an adaptive feed-forward delay compensator were used to realize real-time loading. Before conducting the RTHS, the method of adding an adaptive stage before seismic acceleration record was proposed to compensate the initial delay. On this basis, the seismic behavior of the HSYE was tested using selected seismic acceleration records. The results indicated that the RTHS results are stable and reliable. Under an earthquake simulated load, the HSYE structure can give full play to the local energy dissipation characteristics of the shear link and ensure the elasticity of the main frame, which has vast engineering application prospects.