Experimental investigation of controlled-rocking systems

The proposed project will investigate the behavior of high-performance reinforced concrete (RC) core walls, which are designed to rock about their base in two horizontal directions. For this purpose, a 1/6.5 scaled specimen of the 24-story reinforced concrete wall will be built and tested at the Multi-Array Shaking Table (MAST) facility at Tongji University, Shanghai, China. The experimental program includes a large array of unidirectional and bidirectional shaking tests of the specimen, which will investigate the performance of the system at different shaking intensities and different directions. The applicant research will focus on unidirectional and bi-directional rocking behavior of the walls. This experimental program will be performed at four phases of shaking table tests. In phase A, a cantilever-rocking-wall, equipped with supplemental dampers, will be tested unidirectionally. In phase B, the specimen will be tested in coupled-rocking-wall direction. In phase C, the cantilever-rocking-wall and the coupled-rocking-wall systems will be tested under bi-directional shaking. Finally, in phase D, all dampers will be removed and the cantilever-rocking-wall will be tested unidirectionally. The results of the experimental program will be used to calibrate advanced 2-D and 3-D numerical models to perfectly simulate the controlled rocking systems.

Faculty Supervisor:

Tony Yang

Student:

Partner:

Tongji University

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Other; Construction

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: