Pseudodynamic Testing of Scaled Models

Abstract

The pseudodynamic test is increasingly being used for testing structures under seismic loads. Due to the limited capacity of available equipment and also to economic reasons, testing is often required to be carried out on scaled models rather than full-scale structures. Although the similitude laws are well established, the selection of a suitable set of scale factors is often complicated due to the infinite number of possible sets. The various aspects to be considered in selecting a suitable set of scale factors are clarified. The question of possible differences in test results due to a difference in testing procedure is answered by means of tests on identical specimens using three typical procedures. It was found that the results obtained can be considered to be identical for practical purposes.