Title：Shake-table testing of a low-damage concrete wall building

Principal Investigator: Richard Henry

PI’s Affiliation: University of Auckland, New Zealand

Co-PI at Tongji University: Ying Zhou

Abstract:

The behavior of individual structural members and components are generally well understood, but the interactions between these components in a real building can be complex. Past earthquakes have highlighted the uncertainties in building response, with unexpected behavior often attributed to interactions and the configuration of real buildings. When considering low-damage seismic design, the interactions and system behavior is critical to achieving the intended performance. This project will focus on the full-scale system validation of a low-damage post-tensioned concrete wall building. Bi-directional shake-table testing of a 3-storey building will allow for the structural interactions to be investigated, including the critical wall-to-floor connections. The test will verify existing detailing used in constructed post-tensioned concrete wall buildings and allow for investigation for different floor systems, wall-to-floor connections, and dissipating devices. The outputs will result in a rich dataset to validate numerical models and improve design procedures and guidelines. The project will also contribute valuable data to assist with the development of the ILEE resilient rating system. System level tests of this nature are only possible through international collaboration and access to state-of-art experimental facilities. The ILEE multi-functional shake-table array is a unique facility that can easily accommodate such a large test structure. The project will bring together experts from both New Zealand and China and allow for increased exchange of ideas with academics and researchers working closely together. An industry advisory group has also been established to help guide the research direction and ensure that the test building incorporates realistic design and detailing practice. Funding if 900,00 RMB is requested from ILEE with co-funding already secured from the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and the Center for Earthquake Resilience (QuakeCoRE). The project funding will cover experimental costs and travel expenses of the research team. Testing will be conducted in mid-late 2017, with data analysis and outputs in 2018. A blind modelling contest will also be held in conduction with the test, allowing researchers from around the world to evaluate their modelling techniques against this one of a kind test structure.