Abstract
The purpose of producing scaled physical models is to allow the assessment in the laboratory of the probable response of a structure to a prescribed loading. It is obviously of paramount importance to construct these models to reflect reality as accurately as possible. The problem encountered particularly for dynamic testing is that the similitude requirements are sometimes impractical. This paper presents the design details of 1:12 scale model of a ten storey Knee Braced Frame (KBF) for testing on a shaking table. The implications of imperfect similitude are investigated and a mass adjustment technique is used to compensate for the modeling distortion. The method used is successful in correcting the unsatisfied similitude conditions. The dynamic properties as well as the response parameters of primary interest, i.e., horizontal floor displacements, knee element ductility and the energy dissipation capacity of the small scale model are then within the range of true scale buildings.
Highlights
Any structural scaled model should be designed, tested and the results interpreted according to the similitude requirements that relate the model to the real structure
The similitude requirements are based upon the theory of modeling which can be derived from dimensional analysis of the physical phenomena involved in the behavior of the structure
This paper presents the design of a model of ten storey knee braced frame to be subjected to earthquake loading using a shaking table
Summary
Any structural scaled model should be designed, tested and the results interpreted according to the similitude requirements that relate the model to the real structure. The primary objectives of the model testing are to investigate the dynamic behavior of knee braced steel frames and to get a better understanding of the performance of their energy dissipation mechanisms without being interested in duplicating the exact response of a particular real structure, provided that the response of the model is within the range of similar real buildings. The plot of the time histories of the input energy, the structural damping energy and the dissipated hysteresis energy show that the scaled model energies are matching those of the prototype (Fig. 11) This is very important because the objective of this small scale modeling is to investigate the capability of the knee bracing system in dissipating the imparted energy. The amplitudes of the vibrations are comparable in the nonlinear response
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