Testing of a transfer plate by pseudo-dynamic test method with substructure technique

Abstract

This chapter discusses a pseudodynamic testing system developed with the incorporation of the substructure technique. Pseudodynamic test method is an experimental technique for simulating the time-history response of structural members. It combines the realism of shaking table tests with the economy and convenience of quasistatic testing. The pseudodynamic system has been implemented to study the seismic response of a transfer plate in 18-storey high-rise building. Structural system comprises a transfer plate at the first floor with evenly spaced columns below, and shear walls above the transfer. A test specimen in 1/4-scale was used to model the ground floor, transfer plate, and the second floor. All the upper storeys were simulated numerically. Pseudodynamic tests were conducted using three types of time-history records. When subject to an El-Centro earthquake record with maximum acceleration at 32%g, the shear wall remained undamaged whereas the transfer plate was severely damaged. An experiment has revealed that the transfer plate system has insufficient strength to resist possible strong earthquake action.