WP2 – Shaking table tests and dynamic identification data on scaled prototypes of ordinary buildings

WP2 aims to:

  • design scaled prototypes (to be parametrically investigated in WP3 and WP4) useful to provide an experimental benchmark for the evaluation of the procedures reviewed in WP1 to assess FS and to validate parameters identified in WP1 with the use of experimental data
  • perform incremental dynamic shake-table tests on models of the prototype ordinary buildings, for increasing levels of structural nonlinearities and by varying the ground motion features in terms of amplitude, frequency content, and duration
  • perform dynamic identification tests on the specimens after each test, to identify dynamic properties and their variation with structural damage

 

Task 2.1 – Design and realization of specimens

The two specimens will be designed to represent ordinaryR.C. and URM structures, i.e., residential buildings with common characteristics, widespread in the building stock. Specimens will be scaled, up to dimensions and weight compatible with the tables’ capabilities. However, these capabilities will allow adopting a relatively low scale factor, i.e., not higher than 3.

The R.C. structure will be a three-dimensional multistorey moment-resisting frame, symmetric in plan with one bay in each plan direction. The number of stories will be equal to three, i.e., high enough to derive from experimental tests very useful and significant insights into the dynamic amplification of acceleration demand along the height. The influence of nonstructural masonry walls (infill panels) will be analyzed, too.

The URM structure will be representative of a simple single-unit three-story URM building with timber diaphragms and brick masonry walls. The unit is regular both in plan and in elevation, in order not to introduce torsional effects that can represent a further variable in the definition of the filtered floor accelerations.

 

Task 2.2 – Experimental tests

In this Task, the experimental setup will be designed, tests on materials and components will be performed and incremental dynamic shake-table tests on the two scaled structural models will be performed.At the beginning and the end of each test, a dynamic identification will be performed with a white noise, low-intensity signal, providing information on the evolution of the dynamic properties of the specimens.Tests will be performed at the test laboratory of the Department of Structures for Engineering and Architecture (DIST) of the University of Naples Federico II.