An overview of seismic hybrid testing of engineering structures

Abstract

An overview of research on the development of the hybrid test method is presented. The maturity of the hybrid test method is mapped in order to provide context to individual research in the overall development of the test method. In the pseudo dynamic (PsD) test method, the equations of motion are solved using a time stepping numerical integration technique with the inertia and damping being numerically modelled whilst restoring force is physically measured over an extended timescale. Developments in continuous PsD testing led to the real-time hybrid test method and geographically distributed hybrid tests. A key aspect to the efficiency of hybrid testing is the substructuring technique where the critical structural subassemblies that are fundamental to the overall response of the structure are physically tested whilst the remainder of the structure whose response can be more easily predicted is numerically modelled. Much of the early research focused on developing the accuracy and efficiency of the test method, whereas more recently the method has matured to a level where the test method is applied purely as a dynamic testing technique.Developments in numerical integration methods, substructuring, experimental error reduction, delay compensation and speed of testing have led to a test method now in use as full-scale real-time dynamic testing method that is reliable, accurate, efficient and cost effective.

Parameter identification for on‐line model updating in hybrid simulations using a gradient‐based method

“…They can feature the desirable simulation of the observed kinematic and isotropic hardening phenomena. [14][15][16][17][18][19][20] In hybrid simulation, also called hybrid testing, [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] the target structure can be partitioned into multiple substructures. When constitutive models such as the Bouc-Wen model and the 2-surface model are adopted in nonlinear structural response simulations, the lack of relations between the control parameters and the mechanical properties may result in difficulties in finding the parameter values.…”

Development of a ten‐element hybrid simulation platform and an adjustable yielding brace for performance evaluation of multi‐story braced frames subjected to earthquakes

“…Hybrid simulation is one of the structural testing methods in which the experimental test data from the critical elements are integrated within an entire numerical structural system thus providing more realistic predictions of structural response in comparison to a fully numerical simulation method. This is achieved by applying the predicted displacements to the physical elements and then integrating the resulting displacement and force feedback from the physical elements into the equations of motion in the numerical model of the rest of the structure . Since its early development in 1969 and the 1980s, hybrid simulation technique has been constantly improved in different aspects such as numerical integration schemes, actuator control, and delay compensation and it has matured over the years such that more emphasis is currently applied on extending its application in seismic performance assessment of different structural systems .…”

A simple strategy for dynamic substructuring: I. Concept and development

“…Dynamic substructuring (DS), also termed hybrid simulation and model‐in‐the‐loop testing, refers to combining physical and virtual components to study the dynamic behavior of complex engineering systems (see McCrum and Williams for a comprehensive review). A physical subsystem (PS) (an experimental component) is coupled with a virtual subsystem (a computer model), and the two subsystems actively interact in real time during an experiment.…”