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A master's thesis from Aalborg University
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Estimation of actuator parameters for a Reaction Wall through Pushover Analysis

Author

Term

4. term

Publication year

2022

Submitted on

Pages

163

Abstract

Bulgaria is building a national seismic testing laboratory that will include a Reaction Wall–Strong Floor (RWSF). This is a test setup where actuators (devices that apply forces) push and pull on structures to reproduce earthquake effects. To select suitable actuators, numerical simulations of prototypes are needed. In this thesis, the prototype is a steel structure with two different lateral restraining systems in the two main directions: a Moment Resisting Frame (MRF) and a Concentrically Braced Frame (CBF). A linear seismic analysis is first carried out using Modal Response Spectrum Analysis (MRSA) on a 3D model in Autodesk Robot. A brief sensitivity study identifies the most conservative response spectra according to Eurocode 8 (EC8)—curves that describe expected shaking and provide safe design assumptions. Both lateral systems are designed using the Capacity Design concept, which aims to make certain, less critical components yield first to protect the rest of the structure. The results are validated and discussed. Next, an RWSF test is simulated in SeismoStruct with a planar nonlinear static pushover analysis of both the MRF and CBF, examining behavior beyond the elastic range. The nonlinear response is verified, and the key parameters needed to choose an appropriate actuator are provided. The findings are discussed with attention to uncertainties and the following steps.

Bulgarien er ved at etablere et nationalt seismisk testlaboratorium, som bl.a. får en reaktionsvæg–stærkt gulv (Reaction Wall–Strong Floor, RWSF). Det er et testopstilling, hvor aktuatorer (kraftpåførende enheder) kan skubbe og trække i konstruktioner for at efterligne jordskælv. For at vælge passende aktuatorer kræves numeriske simuleringer af prototyper. I dette speciale er prototypen en stålkonstruktion med to forskellige tværafstivningssystemer i de to hovedretninger: en momentbærende ramme (MRF) og en koncentrisk afstivet ramme (CBF). Først gennemføres en lineær seismisk analyse med Modal Response Spectrum Analysis (MRSA) på en rumlig model i Autodesk Robot. En kort følsomhedsanalyse bruges til at identificere de mest konservative responsspektre i henhold til Eurocode 8 (EC8), dvs. kurver for forventet rysten, der giver sikre (på den sikre side) dimensioneringsforudsætninger. Begge afstivningssystemer dimensioneres efter kapacitetsdesign, en tilgang der sikrer, at bestemte, mindre kritiske dele giver efter først for at beskytte resten af konstruktionen. Resultaterne valideres og drøftes. Dernæst simuleres en RWSF-test i SeismoStruct ved hjælp af en plan, ikke-lineær statisk pushover-analyse af både MRF og CBF. Denne analyse undersøger konstruktionens opførsel ud over den elastiske grænse. Den ikke-lineære respons verificeres, og de nødvendige parametre til at vælge en egnet aktuator leveres. Afslutningsvis diskuteres resultaterne med fokus på usikkerheder og de næste skridt.

[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]