Comparison of Tests of a Nonlinear Structure Using a Shake Table and the EFT Method

Abstract

The viability of effective force testing (EFT), a real-time dynamic testing procedure for large-scale structures, has been validated by comparing results of tests on idealized structural models to analytical results. In this paper, the results of tests on a shake table are compared to those conducted using the EFT method. The test structure was a one-story steel structure consisting of typical structural components. The paper also presents an overview of critical issues required for conducting the EFT test, and highlights several problems and solutions that may affect the performance of EFT tests. The comparison of the test results indicates that with proper velocity feedback compensation, the EFT method can be used to apply real-time seismic simulation to structures undergoing nonlinear deformation.