Design, Construction, and Characterization of a Large Scale Steel Structural System for Real Time Hybrid Testing

Large scale structures with dampers are being studied as part of ongoing research related to the use of dampers to limit seismically induced damage. Large scale frame testing is being conducted at Lehigh University in collaboration with Purdue University, the University of Illinois, City College of New York, the University of Connecticut, and the Lord Corporation under an NSF-funded NEESR research project. A test bed consisting of a 0.6-scale moment resisting frame (MRF) and a 0.6-scale damped brace frame (DBF) will be used in testing different types of dampers.;A simplified design procedure is used to design the test frame. This procedure uses strength considerations to design a lateral load resisting frame, then allows an engineer to add damping devices to ensure the frame does not exceed other performance objectives, in this case drift limits. The fabrication and erection of this test frame were conducted at the NSF NEES RTMD Earthquake Simulation Facility at the ATLSS Center at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA.;This thesis focuses on the experimental setup of the two 0.6-scale test frames. The DBF test frame was characterized to determine its as-built structural characteristics and to ensure the experimental setup functioned properly. A static stiffness matrix was developed to compare with computer models of the structure, for use in hybrid testing and in developing semi-active control laws. This was achieved using static testing and a flexibility approach. Full-bridge load cells installed on the members of the DBF were used to obtain the internal member forces for the beams, columns, and diagonal braces. An assessment of the results indicated the distribution of member forces in the DBF is as expected and that the level of friction in the test setup (between the DBF and bracing frame) is low and well within the acceptable range.