03.03: Feasibility of hybrid simulation for testing steel connections of braces with intentional eccentricity

Abstract

An online hybrid test environment to examine the seismic performance of the gusset plate connections of steel braces is developed by incorporating sub-structuring techniques and finite element methods. In the developed test system, the behaviour of the brace member is simulated by the finite element analysis program ABAQUS, while the brace end connection is physically tested. Two hydraulic jacks are used to simulate the physical continuity between the analytical and experimental substructures by controlling axial load and out-of-plane rotation. A MATLAB user subroutine is created as the interface between the main control program and ABAQUS to impose the target rotation and axial force to the connection quasi-statically. A gusset plate connection designed to behave as a pin connection is tested and its efficiency to accommodate inelastic rotations was evaluated up to 4% story drift. The test method is reasonable, with smooth operation and ensures realistic loading and boundary conditions.

On-Line Testing of Steel Brace Connections Using Non-Linear Substructuring and Force-Displacement Combined Control

“…The seismic performance of gusset plate connection under actual cyclic inelastic rotations and varying axial load is evaluated. The efficiency of the proposed test method to evaluate the performance of brace connections until failure has been verified in braces with intentional eccentricity [8].…”