Model tests on earthquake simulators: Development and implementation of experimental procedures

A comprehensive test study, encompassing material; subassembly and earthquake simulator tests, was performed to enable an accurate comparison of model and prototype response. Earthquake simulator tests utilized the El Centro 1940 North-South component and an artificial earthquake composed of discrete spectral components to excite the structure both elastically and inelastically. Accurate simulation of the prototype structure in terms of global and local response parameters was achieved. The nature of prototype inelastic response was duplicated by the small scale model as characterized by yielding of the joint panel zones in shear and by comparison of the ductility demand and energy distribution of the respective structures. Observed minor discrepancies in model-prototype correlation can be explained by the larger weld sizes of the model and by the influence of earthquake simulator reproduction capabilities on test structure response.