Large-Scale Hybrid Simulation of a Steel Moment Frame Building Structure through Collapse

The implementation of two series of hybrid simulations that aim to trace the system-level seismic response of a four-story steel moment frame building structure through collapse is presented. In the first series of tests, a half-scale 11/2-bay by 11/2-story physical substructure of a special steel moment-resisting frame is considered, while in the second series the physical substructure corresponds to the gravity framing system with a similar-sized specimen. An objective of these tests is to demonstrate the potential of hybrid simulation with substructuring as a cost-effective alternative to earthquake simulators for large-scale system-level testing of structural frame subassemblies. The performance of a recently developed substructuring technique and time-stepping integration method for hybrid simulation are evaluated when employed with large and complex numerical substructures exhibiting large levels of nonlinear response. The substructuring technique simplifies the experimental setup by reducing the number of required actuators while adequately approximating the boundary conditions including lateral displacements and axial loads on columns. The test method was found to be reliable with capabilities to provide insight into experimental behavior of structural subassemblies under realistic seismic loading and boundary conditions. (C) 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.