Intercontinental Hybrid Simulation for the Assessment of a Three-Span R/C Highway Overpass

Abstract

This paper presents hybrid simulations of a three-span R/C bridge among E.U., U.S. and Canada. The tests involved partners located on both sides of the Atlantic with each one assigned a numerical or a physical module of the sub-structured bridge. Despite the network latency in linking five remote sites located on the two sides of the Atlantic (compared to previous studies in which sites were not as widely distributed) and considering the ratedependency of the physical specimen as per Molina et al. (2002), the intercontinental hybrid simulation was accomplished and repeated successfully employing different tools, thus highlighting the robustness, efficiency and repetitiveness of the approach. Adaptations, challenges and limitations are critically discussed particularly focusing on the implications of network communication latency, the insensitivity of the sub-structuring arrangement and the accuracy of the results obtained.

Nonlinear Error Propagation Analysis of a New Family of Model-Based Integration Algorithm for Pseudodynamic Tests

“…Only a few research [13][14][15] were aimed at nonlinear structures. It should be noted that most of the pseudodynamic tests were carried out in nonlinear range of behavior as pseudodynamic tests are mainly used to investigate the nonlinear behavior of the structures subjected to seismic excitations [2,16]. Therefore, it is much more meaningful to perform the nonlinear error propagation analysis.…”

“…The restoring force error at the (i + 1)th time step e r i+1 can be further expressed as [13] e r i+1 = k i+1 e rx i+1 (14) where e rx i+1 is the displacement error corresponding to the restoring force error e r i+1 . According to the above definition and the formulations of the GCR algorithm, the following relationships can be obtained x e i+1 + r e i+1 + e r i+1 = F i+1 (16) It should be noted that r e i+1 = k i+1 x e i+1 , so the aforementioned equations can be reformulated in a recursive matrix form [13]…”