Published By Federal Laboratory Consortium
Issued over 9 years ago
Summary
Description
As part of the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) Program, Lehigh University has established the Real-Time Multi-Directional (RTMD) earthquake simulation facility at the ATLSS Engineering Research Center. The RTMD earthquake simulation facility is a next-generation earthquake research facility for seismic performance evaluation of large-scale structural systems. This facility has advanced experimental and analytical simulation capabilities to test and validate complex and comprehensive analytical and computer numerical models, leading to advances in earthquake engineering and experimental methods. The facility features a multi-directional reaction wall, five dynamic actuators, advanced instrumentation, and a tele-participation system consisting of real-time streaming data and video. Hydraulic power for the servo-actuator system is supplied by a system consisting of five pumps and three banks of accumulators that enables strong ground motion effects to be sustained in real-time for up to 30 seconds. Real-time multi-directional seismic testing of large-scale structural components and systems at the RTMD earthquake simulation facility can be performed using either the effective force method, pseudo-dynamic testing method, or the pseudo-dynamic hybrid testing method. Distributed hybrid pseudo-dynamic testing can also be performed using the RTMD facility in conjunction with other laboratory sites.