Mission of ELSA

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(European Laboratory for Structural Assessment)

To provide research and contribute to European Standards for risk mitigation in construction
through integrated use of experimental testing and numerical modeling in Structural
Mechanics

The sites of JRC in Europe

General view of ELSA

Ispra Italy
Institute for the Protection and
Security of the Citizen
Institute for Environment and
sustainability
Institute for Health and
Consumer Protection

Geel Belgium
Institute for Reference Materials
and Measurements

Petten The Netherlands

Institute for Advanced
Materials

Brussels Belgium
General Directorate

Karlsruhe Germany
Institute for Transuranium
Elements

Seville Spain
Institute for Prospective
Technological Studies

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and Security of the Citizen

The EUROCODES

To improve the assessment of structures

The basement for an unique European Standard in civil
engineering

Main topic of ELSA Laboratory

To verify the proposed codes by means of:
Experimental testing at
real scale

Computer Simulation

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The two methods for Earthquakes Simulation

Shaking
Table

Reaction Wall (PSD methods)

ELSA

Reduced Scale models

Real Time test

Real scale models (failure

criteria are available because of
the same size as real)
Expended Time Test

ELSA Experimental Activities

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Seismic Assessment of Civil Structures

All PSD methods or Cyclic testing (linear and un-linear testing)
- Research for structural vulnerability assessment of civil structures under
earthquakes
-Strengthening/repair techniques for civil and cultural heritage structures.
- Tests on Components

Structural Response Control

Cyclic or PSD (un-linear testing)
Passive Control: Base isolation, energy dissipation devices.
(metallic yield, friction, visco-elastic dampers, tuned mass, tuned liquid dampers)
-Semi-Active Control Variable-friction, variable-orifice,
controllable-fluid dampers (ER/MR), controllable tuned liquid dampers.
- Active Control (Cable Stayed Bridges)

Structural Identification and Monitoring

-Experimental Modal Analysis (elastic testing)
-Fatigue testing (elastic to rupture testing)

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ELSA Experimental Activities

Methods Development
Hybrid (experimental + numeric)

Experimental

1990

Quasi-static testing
Cyclic testing
Conventional PsD testing
on full-scale models

Dynamic testing

Continuous PsD (CPsD) testing

Shaker, Hammer
Snap Back

PsD testing with substructuring

Ambient Monitoring

Fast on-line testing with

substructuring (fast hybrid testing)
Fatigue testing

CPsD with substructuring

Cyclic testing

CPsD with Non-lineare

Substructuring

2006
5

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The ELSA Reaction Wall: tool to realise the PSD or cyclic

Testing
Bending moment
200 MNm

Anchor holes
1m spacing m

16m

Bending moment
240 MNm

13m

Base Shear
20 MN

4.2m

20m

20m
5m

4m

Servo hydraulic dynamic actuators

8x
1.0 MN 1.0m
12x
0.5 MN 1.0 / 0.5m
4x
0.2 MN 0.2 m

25m

Servo hydraulic static actuators

4x
3.0 MN 0.5m
8x
0.8 MN 0.5m

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Cyclic testing: (experimental method)

Inertial and velocity dependence forces are not considered.

The actuators could be controlled in displacement or in force.

Results

Example

uh

70

v
1

V1

V2

EXP: SW3 cyclic test

50

NUM: cyclic test

NUM: monotonic test
30

u2v

10

-15

-10

-5

10

15

20

-10

-30

-50

-70

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Short History of the PsD Method

1969: Hakuna, Shidawara & Hara formulated the initial concept of PsD testing in
Japan. They analyzed a 1-dof system (cantilever steel plate) using an electromagnetic
actuator controlled by an analog computer.
1974: Takanashi & Nakashima were the first in obtaining satisfactory system
response.
By the mid 80s PsD testing was being carried out on a significant scale in
Japan. In Tsukuba a 26m height RW has been used to test full-scale seven story
buildings.
1986: Shing, Mahin introduced and developed the PsD methodology in USA.
1991: European Laboratory for Structural Assessment ELSA is constructed at Ispra
Later on, new centres developed including Taiwan 1999, Korea 1999, Italy (Trento
2002), as well as a number of smaller laboratories (UK Oxford 1999).
1996: Continuous PsD testing was developed at JRC-Ispra
Following the research carried out the last 25 years, and in particular numerous
comparisons with shaking table tests, the PsD method is now generally recognized
as a reliable method for testing many types of dynamic systems.

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PSEUDO-DYNAMIC
METHOD
Force
Transducers

Servo-Hydraulic
Actuators

Displacement
Transducers

Reference
Frame

Measured
Restoring Force

Imposed
Displacement

R (t )

x...(tdt)

x(t)

Ma(t ) + Cv(t ) + R(t ) = MIxg

Accelerogram

-Calculated terms
-Measured or Numerical
term

xg
9

PSD Testing: solving the equation

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Ma(t ) + Cv(t ) + R(t ) = MIxg (t )

The structure is discretised in n DoF (space discretisation)
The motion is discretised in time steps t
M and C are matrix of n DoF, supposed diagonal.

Ma(t ) =
Cv(t ) =

Velocity Dependent Forces (Viscous) Calculated at each step t

R(t ) =

Reaction Forces (= -K.d)

MIxg (t ) =

External Forces

Inertial Forces .

Calculated at each step t

Measured at each step t

Input red in a file sampled at t

10

PSD Testing: solving the equation

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Man+1 + Cvn+1 + Rn+1 = fn+1

The step n realised, the new step n+1 is computed with the discrete
equations deduced from the explicit Newmark method:

f n +1

Read Input Excitation

d n +1 = d n + t vn +

t
an
2
2

Compute the displacement to

apply

Apply the displacement: dn+1

The structure is
moving of one time
step:

Rn+1

Read the Reaction

force:

t
t
C ) 1 ( f n +1 Rn +1 Cvn C an ) Compute acceleration
2
2
t
Compute velocity
vn +1 = vn + (an + an +1 )
2

an +1 = ( M +

11

The Conventional PsD Method:

(Asynchronous Loading)
Ground Acceleration

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Begin:
Compute the ext. load force: fn

Earthquake Time
Scale

Measure the restoring force: rn

Compute an and vn

TPsD

PsD Steps Description

Compute displ. response: dn+1

dn+1
Impose dn+1 on the test

dn

structure
Hold
Period

Ramp Period

Stabilization Period (100 to 200 ms)

Measurement Period (40 to 120 ms)
Communication and computation period (400 to 800 ms)

Step n

Step n+1

Hold Period

Increment n
Wait end of ramp period
Go to Begin

PsD Time Scale

12

The Conventional PsD Method:

Advantages and Drawbacks

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Tests normally run on an Expanded Time-Scale of the order of 100 time

(or more) the actual time-scale
Advantages:
. It makes full scale testing feasible.
It simplifies the equipment needed.
It allows for inspection of the structure between load steps.
The servo-control and the measurements are performed with high
accuracy.
The tests can be stopped at any moment (further inspection, new
instrumentation, collapse loading)
Drawbacks:
Any strain rate effects in the test specimen is not included.
Suffers of stress relaxation effects during the Hold Periods.

13

The Conventional PsD Method:

Advantages and Drawbacks

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Advantages:
Reproduce perfectly the excitation accelerogram.
Easy on-line verification of the test quality by checking energy
balance equations and identification of modal dampings.
This hybrid method is appropriate to incorporate substructuring
testing.
Allow multiple distributed PsD tests, eventually in laboratories
geographically separated. Appropriate for Tele-operating.
Allow biaxial tests (3-Dof per floor including rotation).
Further Drawbacks:
The method includes various approximations in its algorithm:
Space discretization: The test structure is assumed as a
spring-mass discrete system (limited number of Dofs).
High sensitivity to measurement and control errors.
Motion equations solved by Explicit algorithm =>
integration time step limitation.
Difficulty to control vertical motion

14

The conventional PsD method

An Example

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Bi-axial PsD test of a 3-storey

torsionally unbalanced RC
structure

15

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The Continuous PsD Method

(Synchronous Loading)
Ground
Acceleration

N interpolated values
Earthquake Time Scale

Control loop:
Compute the external load force: fn
Measure the restoring force: rn
Compute an and vn
Compute displ. response: dn+1
Impose dn+1 on the test structure:
Control Algorithm:
Controller target = dn+1
(sampling timet 2 ms)

Structural displacement

Go to Control loop

dn

Step n

dn+

Step
n+1

The time scale expansion factor: = N * t / T

PsD Time Scale

16

The Continuous PsD Method:

Advantages

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Avoid hold periods and structural relaxation

Enable very accurate PsD tests (signal/noise ratio improvement)
Extend PsD testing capabilities
to some strain rate sensitive devices/components
to fast tests with substructuring
Smooth and accelerate the tests
Reduce the errors

BUT !
Require a completely new implementation
-in hardware: master and slave controllers
-in software: time scale introduction in control
algoritms

17

The Continuous PsD Method:

Assessment of Large Scale Structures

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Strengthening/repair
and rehabilitation

Construction norms
(Eurocodes)

Preservation of
monuments

Anti-seismic
Isolation
18

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The Continuous PsD Method:

Assessment of Strengthening/repair techniques of Large
Scale Structures

Wet lay-up application of a quasi-isotropic carbon FRP on the shear walls of a reinforced
concrete dual frame
19

Continuous PsD Testing

Base isolation

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Characterisation and Snap-Back

Seismic Test

Base isolated steel frame

20

High Damping Rubber Bearing

10

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Continuous PsD Testing:
Testing:
Passive Energy Dissipation Devices (HDR)

PROTECTED CONCRETE FRAME

Designed for non seismic area
and upgraded with retrofitting
2 bays of 5 m
4 m transverse direction
2 storeys of 2.67 m

Steel flange

Rubber

CenterPlate

Viscoelastic
damper

21 Frame protected with Rubber Dampers installed in K-bracing

RC

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Continuous PsD Testing
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Passive Energy Dissipation Devices(HDR)
Devices(HDR)

Effect of the Strain Rate on the

Load-Displacement
characterisation curve

Characterisation curve corrected

against the Strain Rate effects

22

11

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Continuous PsD Testing:
Testing:
Passive Energy Dissipation Devices (Jarret)
Jarret)

Application of Jarret devices

The viscosity and the compressibility (15%
at 400 MPa) of these fluids allow a single
device to function as a shock absorber and
a spring making unnecessary any auxiliary
stroke return mechanism.

Elevation of the Steel frame structure

protected
with dissipative braces
23

meas
meas
fcorr
=300 = B f =300 + Ao f =1

Continuous PsD Testing:

Testing:
Passive Energy Dissipation Devices
(Jarret)
Jarret)

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Time scale correction on Jarret devices characterisation

=1

Force (kN)

= 300

= 300
corrected

meas
meas
fcorr
=300 = B f =300 + Ao f =1

B = 1.184

Ao = 0.48 kN

Displacement (mm)

Force-displacement cycles at reference speed (solid), 300 times slower (dashed)

and 300 times slower after correction (dash-dot line). Sinus displacement
24

12

Continuous PsD Testing

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Example with Jarret devices

IS drift Displacement 1st floor (mm)

40
struttura non protetta
struttura protetta con i Jarret

30
20
10
0
10

Floor 1

20
30

8
10
Time (sec)

12

14

16

18

8
10
Time (sec)

12

14

16

18

8
10
Time (sec)

12

14

16

18

IS drift Displacement 2nd floor (mm)

40

x 10

Energia di input

20
10
0
10
20

Floor 2

30
40

struttura non protetta

struttura protetta con i Jarret

30

Energia assorbita totale

5
Energia assorbita dalla struttura

IS drift Displacement 3rd floor (mm)

Total Energy (J)

40

4
Energia Cinetica

20
10
0
10

4
25

10

12

14

16

Floor 3

20
30

1
0

struttura non protetta

struttura protetta con i Jarret

30

18

000# Time (s)

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Continuous PsD Testing:
Testing:
and Security of the Citizen
Passive Energy Dissipation Devices
(SMA devices)
devices)

SMA = Shape Memory Alloys

Developed in ELSA for the ISTECH project
Innovative Stability Techniques for the European Cultural Heritage
Main tasks of ELSA:
- Characterization of SMAs samples for engineering purpose
- Full-scale Pseudo-Dynamic (PsD) tests on unprotected and protected masonry walls

Stress

Temperature

Phase Changes in the SMA Crystals

Cooling or

Heating or

Stress increase

unloading

lengthening

(deformed
)

Phase Transformation in the Alloy

26

13

Continuous PsD Testing:

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Testing:
and Security of the Citizen
Passive Energy Dissipation Devices(SMA)
Devices(SMA)
The ISTECH project: Characterization of SMAs
Typical and ideal behaviour of a
sample of SMA during a test performed
in ELSA

The 3 advantageous
effects of SMA for
seismic protection.

Super-Elastic Effect : Small residual strain.

Safeguard of material : High and constant stress.
Hysteresis effect : Large amount of energy dissipation.

27

Continuous PsD Testing:

Testing:
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Passive Energy Dissipation Devices(SMA)
Devices(SMA)
StressStress-Strain for 4 frequencies
1 Hz

0.1 Hz

Hz
55Hz

Task 4
Improvement of
the dynamic
behaviour

5 Hz.

0.01 Hz0.01 Hz

cycle 100

-NiTi samples with small

diameters showed a better
energy dissipation
-The - curve become stable
after 20 cycles assuring a
good dissipation
-The SMAs behavior is
sensitive to frequency
(tests done up-to 5 Hz)

E dcm = A + Be C . n
Experimental data

Energy dissipation with respect cycle number

28

14

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Continuous PsD Testing:
Testing:
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Passive Energy Dissipation Devices (SMAd)
SMAd)

The ISTECH Project: Retrofitting of damaged masonry wall with SMA Devices
Homogeneous model

The masonry wall and its numerical

model

SMA devices

29

Continuous PsD Testing:

Testing:
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Passive Energy Dissipation Devices (SMA)
The ISTECH Project: Full-scale PsD tests of masonry walls

The devices dissipated about 30% of

the total input energy of the system
The protected wall allowed
earthquake intensities 60% greater
than the bare wall for the same final
typology of damage

30

15

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SMA devices applications

ISTECH Application

Trignano S.Giorgio Church Bell

Tower. Local damage and

Basilica of SanSan-Francesco in Assisi

South Tympanum and SMAD devices

reinforcement adopted
31

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PsD Testing with Substructuring

Application for testing of bridges

Man+1 + Cvn+1 + Rn+1 = fn+1

R1

Measure of the Reaction

forces on the piers

Ri

K.d

Deck modeled
analytically by
F.E.M.

Piers tested
physically by PSD
method

- Critical parts are tested

- The remaining structure is computed
- Both are coupled through Pseudo-Dynamic
numerical model
32

16

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PsD Testing with Substructuring

The Conventional PsD Algorithm with Substructuring

T
Numerical

part
1

Experimental

part

d(n), v(n), a(n)

d(n+1), v(n+1), a(n+1)

The conventional staggered procedure:

The displacement increment is imposed by means of a ramp followed by an hold
period
==> Asynchronous process and large control step (2s)
THEN
==> Easy implementation of non-linear substructuring (time for convergence, no
synchronization)
BUT
==> Relaxation in the experimental structure and difficulties in handling the strain
rate dependency
33

PsD Testing with Substructuring

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The VAB Project Application to the Warth Bridge, Austria

GRAZ

WIEN
62.00 m

Schematic
representation

67.00 m

67.00 m

67.00 m

67.00 m

67.00 m

62.00 m

P6(A70)
P1(A20)

AB-W

P2(A30)

P3(A40)

P4(A50)

P5(A60)

AB-G

Numerical model for the deck

and piles A20 A30 A50 A60

The real bridge

34

Physical piers in the lab.

17

PsD Testing with Substructuring

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The application of the vertical load

Pier A30

Pier A40
Pier A20

Pier A50

Pier A60

Pier A70

Experimental piers

Analytical piers: behaviour with easier modelling than experimental ones

35

PsD Testing with Substructuring

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Isolated Bridges: Isolation/Dissipation (I/D) devices

Sliding supports

Dissipating part (Spindle)

F

Spindle: Inelastic Devices: to be removed after

hard events
P1

P2
P3

B213A-PI
(Partial isolation)

36

18

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PsD Testing with Substructuring

Isolated Bridges: Isolation/Dissipation (I/D) devices

Results on the example of full isolation of the deck

Full Isolation (All Deck Supports Isolated): Action 1.0xDE
Force [MN]

Force [MN]

.20

.00

. 15

. 00

.00

Disp.
-. 20
-4. 0

X 1.E -2
10. 0

Force [MN]

.25

.0

5. 0
X 1.E -2

Disp.
-.20
-3.0

.0

6.0
X1.E-2

Disp.
-.15
-3.0

Force [MN]

.0

6.0
X1.E-2

X1.E-2
10.0

Force [MN]

At the top of the piers

.0

.0

At the top of the isolators

Disp.
-8.0

-4.0

.0

Disp.
-10. 0

4.0
X1.E-2

-2. 0

.0

6. 0
X 1.E -2

37

Continuous PsD Testing with

Substructuring

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Extension to Fast on-line Substructuring tests on Components made of materials

exhibiting velocity dependant behaviour.
Seismic Isolation
SEISMIC ISOLATION
Elastomeric Bearings
Lead Rubber Bearings

Vert. Load 2

Vert. Load 1

< Displ.
> Force

Energy
Dissipation
< Drift displ.
> Force

F2

F1

PASSIVE ENERGY
DISSIPATION
Dampers installed in K-bracing
Diagonal bracing
Viscoelastic damper
Friction dampers
Viscous Fluid dampers
Metallic Yield dampers
Smart Material: SMA
SEMIACTIVE CONTROL:
Variable-orifice fluid dampers
Controllable friction devices
variable stiffness devices
Controllable fluid dampers

38

19

Continuous PsD Testing with

Substructuring

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Step running schema

Numerical
part
Experimental
part

d(n), v(n), a(n)

d(n+1), v(n+1), a(n+1)

The basic inter-field procedure

Suppression of the hold period
==> Synchronous process and very small control step (1 or 2 ms)
==> simplest and most accurate PsD algorithm (CD scheme)
THEN
==> No relaxation
==> Faster test
==> Improvement of the quality of the results
BUT
==> Difficulties in the implementation of non-linear substructuring
==> Implementation of a new substructuring strategy
39

Fast Continuous PsD Testing with

Substructuring

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Project NEFOREEE
Steel box
dissipative device

Athens Shaking table test

Jarret fluid
dissipative device

The Oxford Test Set-up

40

20

Continuous PsD Testing with

Substructuring

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Rubber bearing isolation devices

Vertical load cell
Air cushion

Actuator
load cell

Displacement
transducer
Actuator
Isolators

Collaboration/Network
Boulder University (USA)
Trento University (I)
Bristol University (UK)
Oxford University (UK)
Patras University (Gr)
Rostock University (G)

Experimental Set-up:Rubber bearing characterization / substructuring set-up

41

Continuous PsD Testing with

Substructuring

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Isolator + absorber device : Jarret / Teflon devices

CONTROPIASTRA PER L' ALLOGGIO DEL TEFLON

DISCO DI TEFLON

ATTUATORI VERTICALI
PIASTRA IN ACCIAIO LUCIDATO

2 JARRET IN PUSH-PULL
ATTUATORE ORIZZONTALE

42

Experimental Set-up: Teflon / Jarret - Visco-Elastic Shock Absorbers

/ substructuring set-up

21

Continuous PsD Testing with

Substructuring

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High speed CPsd: = 1 to 30

Dispass ELSA [TEFLON ONLY DECK] (82: Controller Generated)

0.15

Test at constant speed with different

vertical loads: d142 (= 0t), d147 (= 8t),
d153 (=20t), d159 (= 28t)

002# Friction Coeff - (-)

Jarret / Teflon devices

decreases as the vertical load increases

d142

0.1

d147

0.05

d153

d159

-0.05

Dispass ELSA [TEFLON & 2 NEW JARRET] (80: Controller Measured)

50

-0.1
0

d196

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

Sampling Point

40
30

d197

Tests at different speeds and constant

maximium load: = 1 (in blue), = 3 (in red), =
5 (in green), = 30 (in black)

004# Load Cell Force (kN)

20
10

d198

0
-10

d199

Dispass ELSA (80: Controller Measured)

-20
50

[TEFLON & 2 NEW JARRET] d196

-30
40
-40
30
-50
-15

-10

-5

10

15
20

Comparison between the teflon dissipation (in

red) and the teflon + Jarret (in blu) in the test
with = 1 and with vertical load = 28t

004# Load Cell Force (kN)

003# Haidenhein Displacement (mm)

10

[TEFLON ONLY DECK] d159

0
-10
-20
-30
-40

43

-50
-15

-10

-5

10

15

003# Haidenhein Displacement (mm)

Continuous PsD Testing with

Substructuring

the Protection
Dispass ELSA [TEFLON & 2 NEW JARRET]Institute
(80: Controllerfor
Measured)
and Security of the Citizen

40

d196

30

Fast CPsD Test with Substructuring:

Jarret / Teflon devices

20

004# Load Cell Force (kN)

d199

Comparison between the force-displacement

low-speed cycle (in red), in the low speed
corrected test (in green) and in the high speed
test (in blue)

10

0
d199
corrected

-10

-20

meas
meas
fcorr
=30 = Bf =30 + A0 f =1

-30

-40
-15

-10

-5

10

15

003# Haidenhein Displacement (mm)

Dispass ELSA [Substructuring BabyFrame] (62: PsD Algorithm Generated)

d284: test PsD algorythm (new tef-jar; 100000 pti,old corr)08/04/04
20

Dispass ELSA [Steel Unprotected Frame] (62: PsD Algorithm Generated)

d35: 100% EARTHQ. (m=8.96 8.96 8.88) 03/04/02
30

Level 1
001#

15

Level 1
001#

20

Level 2
002#

Level 3
003#

5
Level 4
004#

-5

-10

I-S Drift Displacement (mm)

I-S Drift Displacement (mm)

Level 2
002#

10

10

0
Level 3
003#

-10

-20

000# Time (s)

Interstorey drift: Protected structure

-30
0

000# Time (s)

Non protected structure

44

22

Continuous PsD Testing with

Substructuring

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Example of Passive Friction devices

Real structure

CPsD test on the device

numerical substructure

Hysteretic
Device System

45

Continuous PsD Testing with

Substructuring

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Fast CPsD Test with Substructuring

Laboratory setup
46

23

Continuous PsD Testing with

Substructuring

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Semi-active control of bridges based on

controllable friction devices (CFDs)

RESULT
for a constant
pressure

Dissipative cycles

Real Time testing

without SAC
47

Continuous PsD Testing with

Substructuring

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Continuous PsD Algorithm with Non-lineare Substructuring

Analytical

t n+1

n+2

part
Computation

r(t)
d(t), v(t), a(t)
Experimental
part

n+m/M

Simple inter-field procedure.

The analytical part is advanced with a large time step t, using at each new step level d(t), v(t), a(t) of the
connection points obtained through the experimental process at the end of the previous large step.
The experimental part uses at each sub-cycle level t, as an additional external force, what was
generated in the analytical part at the end of the previous large time step.
==> Drawback: the force coming from the analytical structure is not well synchronised with the external
loading of the experimental part which is updated at the end of each subcycle (this delay is known to
introduce damping).
48

24

Continuous PsD Testing with

Substructuring

Institute for the Protection

and Security of the Citizen

Continuous PsD Algorithm with Non-lineare Substructuring

T
Integration
Time: 2T

Analytical

t n+1

Integration
Time: T

n+2

part
d (t n )

d (t n + 2 )

d (t n +1 )

v(t n )

f (t n )

v(t n +1 )

f (t n +1 )

v(t n + 2 )

a (t n )

f (t n +1 )

a (t n +1 )

f (t n + 2 )

a (t n + 2 )

Experimental
part
2 ms

n+m/M

Improved inter-field procedure.

Basically the analytical structure is integrated with a time step T and 2T . This allows to know the
location of the analytical structure one large time step T in advance with respect to the experimental
structure.
It is thus possible to drive the experimental structure with more updated information than with the basic
scheme.
49
Ref: Continuous
PsD testing with non-linear substructuring: P. Pegon and G. Magonette

Dynamic reference test for the PSD methods

Snap Back tests
Dynamic Snap-back test

Institute for the Protection

and Security of the Citizen

Oscillation of NEFOREEE
structure by screw rupture

Modal measurement by Logaritmic decrement (1DoF)

50

25

Institute for the Protection

Dynamic reference test for the PSD methods and Security of the Citizen
Snap Back tests
Comparaison between PSD Snap-Back and Dynamic Snap-back test
Ma (t ) + Cv(t ) + R(t ) = 0

PSD snap-back equation

Dynamic results
NEFOREEE BARE FRAME: Results for the first mode
of bending in X direction on central acceleration

Signal

Frequency

Log.Decremen Fourier
t(cycles
transfor
mean)
m
(time method) (Frequency
method)

Exponential
fitting
(time
method)

Frequenc
y (Hz)

2.54

2.536

Damping
(%)

0.508

0.578

0.544

Damping
51

Institute for the Protection

Dynamic reference test for structural evaluationand Security of the Citizen

Hammer Test
Evaluation of the efficiency of the retroffiting of masonry walls in In-Plane and
Out-Plane direction by frequency shift and comparaison with Cyclic test
Out of plane frequency shift after reinforcement

In plane frequency shift after reinforcement

60
50

Steel

40
30
Carbon

80

A=6y- F=6y [A]

m039313

Carbon

50

A=6y- F=6y [A]

mr039050

-3 0

A=4y- F=6y [A]

m049016
A=5y- F=6y [A]
mr049072

0
-2 0

-1 0

0
-5 0

20
X= 57.5
Y= -12
Z= 170

10

90

A=15y- F=15y [A]

mr029007

-1 0 0

10

20

Cyclic
InPlaneTests

FREQRESP [Amp.]

horizontal load [kN]

Glass

70

FREQRESP [Amp.]

150

W a ll n o .5 V IR G IN
n o .4 R E IN F s te e l fib e r s
W a l l n o . 3 R E I N F g l a s s f1i b0 e0 r s

A=6y- F=6y [A]

W a ll
m029234

80

30

70
Glass

60
50

Steel

40
30
20
10

0
40

60

80

100

-1 5 0

h o r iz o n ta l d is p la c e m e n t [m m ]
Frequency [Hz]
Details of reinforcement
made on brick walls
with carbon fibres
on left and mortar with glass fibres or steel fibres on right.

10

15

20

25

Frequency [Hz]

52

26

Institute for the Protection

Dynamic reference test for structural evaluationand Security of the Citizen

Hammer Test : monitoring the damage
One of the main advantage of the PSD method is to
stop the test on the structures at different loading level.
Then the hammer test enables to check, by dynamic
impulse, the correspondant levels of damage which
could be measured on a real structure .
mr04: Brick Wall 4 reinforced-supported
200

A=4x- F=0Ax
mr049056

100

A=4x- F=2Ax
mr049058
A=4x- F=4Ax
mr049060

FREQRESP [Amp.]

Wall no:6 supported

150

A=6y- F=6y
m069103

Frequency change

integro

A=4x- F=6Ax
mr049062

-100

A=4x- F=8Ax
mr049064

-200

A=4x- F=10Ax
mr049066

-300

UNDAMAGED

-400

WALL

-500
-600

A=4x- F=12Ax
mr049068

X= 0
Y= 0
Z= 158

New Wall
0

50

100

150

200

danneggiato

Unwrapped Phase change

A=6y- F=6y
md069001

DAMAGED

mrd04:Brick Wall 4 reinforced supported damaged

0Ax

200

WALL

mrd041421

2Ax
mrd041423

4Ax
mrd041425

50

FREQRESP(Phase)

FREQRESP [Amp.]

Frequency [Hz]

100

6Ax

-200

mrd041427

8Ax
mrd041429

-400

10Ax
mrd041431

11Ax

-600

mrd041433

Damaged
Wall

-800

-1000

20
53

40

60

80

50

100

100

f ks = f k =
Damping
%

2.4075
4.8129
7.1918
8.5830
9.6247
12.0231
14.3749
16.8769
19.2277
21.7349
24.2010
26.6569
29.1588
31.7083
34.2533

2.1045
0.4574
0.5320
0.5821
0.4093
0.3890
0.1732
0.2202
0.2821
0.2464
0.1620
0.2321
0.4001
0.1525
0.1207

200

Frequency [Hz]

Institute for the Protection

and Security of the Citizen

Dynamic method: Ambient Monitoring of

cables In ELSA

Frequency
Hz

150

Frequency [Hz]

k
N

2l
m

fk =

k
N
k

1+

2l m

Natural Vibrations of one cable

measured by spectral average

High order number of modes measurements enable to find the

boundary conditions of the cable:
-Pinned without stiffness

f ks = f k =

-Pinned with stiffness

-Fixed with stiffness

fk =

k
N

2
m
2l
k
k
N
fk =

1+

2l m

=l

N
EI

k
N
2
k
1
) 2)

(1 + + (4 +
2l m
2

54

27

Institute for the Protection

Dynamic reference test for structural evaluationand Security of the Citizen

Hammer Test on bridge cables
Gravity
Gravity influence
influence on
on the
the modal
modal Variations
Variations
of
of post-tensioned
post-tensioned steel
steel cables:
cables:
lengthening
lengthening due
due to
to cable
cable weight
weight

1 mgL cos( ) 2
Chord = Le = L 1 +

T

8
VARIATION OF FREQUENCIES WITH INCLINATION
MODE 1
1.005

MODE 2

NORMALISED VALUES

MODE 3
1

MODE 5
MODE 6

0.995

MODE 7
MODE 8

0.99

MODE 9
MODE 10

0.985

MODE 11
MODE 12

0.98

MODE 14
MODE 15

0.975
78.6

70

60

50

40

30

MODE 16

MODE 17

DEGREES OF INCLINATION

MODE 19

55

Dynamic reference test for structural evaluationInstitute for the Protection

and Security of the Citizen

Hammer Test on Composite Frame

Horiz. Ham. test: impacts in 3X(12/08/04)

The FRF (Transfert Function in Fourier Space)

between Acceleration at different points of the
structure and Hammer load, enable to check
quickly, the natural frequencies and damping of
the frame and the associated mode shapes .
An example from the above spectral FRF
measurements of the 2nd mode in X direction
of the Frame (in red) is designed.

3
6
10

8
6

4
2

56

freq=12.6998 Hz

28

Fatigue testing

Institute for the Protection

and Security of the Citizen

Example of fatigue test: 2 Megacycles on one pre-stress cable of the high speed
train bridge on Po River

TENSACCIAI CAVO 73 TREFOLI

Dettaglio del carico ciclico

6
4
2

D.misur
D.rifer

20
2
20
3

20
2

20
1
20
1

20
0
20
0

19
9

19
8
19
9

0
-2

19
7
19
8

Spostamento [mm]

-4
-6
Tempo [s]

TENSACCIAI CAVO 73 TREFOLI

Dettaglio del carico ciclico
10,000

10.4 m

Forza [kN]

8,000
F.Tot
F.Hydros
F.Moog

6,000
4,000
2,000

19
8
19
9
19
9
20
0
20
0
20
1
20
1
20
2
20
2
20
3

19

Tempo [s]
57

Grazie della vostra attenzione !

Institute for the Protection

and Security of the Citizen

30 Anni dopo

Terremoto del Friuli: sito di Artegna (4km del epicentro)

Vecchia costruzione in pietre

Costruzione nuova con telaio in calcestruzzo

+ mattoni forati

Dedico questo corso ai Friulani colpiti dal terremoto del 6 maggio 1976.
Ed in particolare a mio nono e ai parenti che hanno perso tutto in questo
tragico evento !
58

29