Substructured hybrid techniques for actuator loading and shaking table tests

By incorporating substructuring concepts into the computer controlled actuator loading test technique, the substructured hybrid test method is developed. The basic idea of this method is to divide the entire structural system to an experimental part to be tested by actuators, while the response of the other parts are treated in the numerical computation within the computer. Thus, only critical components can be tested economically under realistic load conditions considering proper boundary conditions, and response of whole structure can be investigated. Recently, the substructured hybrid shake table test method is developed, in order to investigate dynamic response of structural systems under more accurate seismic loading conditions, i.e., inertia type loading with real time rate and exact boundary conditions. In this paper, substructured hybrid loading techniques for actuator loading and shaking table tests developed at the Structural Dynamic Laboratory of the Department of Civil Engineering Systems at Graduate School of Civil Engineering are summarized.