Techniques for Testing Structures Permitted to Sway

摘要

Mechanisms are described that eliminate the restraining effects of the loads and the lateral bracing on test specimens permitted to sway. One mechanism, called the gravity-load simulator, maintains a vertical orientation of load even as a structure sways. The lateral bracing mechanism presented does not restrain a test structure at large deflections yet does not require any adjustments when the test specimen deflects. A gravity-load simulator and a lateral bracing system designed for use in testing full-size building frames are presented. Tests on the equipment itself and tests of building frames utilizing the mechanisms show very satisfactory behavior of the gravity-load simulator and the lateral bracing system. Some actual test setups using the mechanisms are described. Tests on three-story full-size building frames (30 ft. high) and a frame buckling test are included. The hydraulic loading system and an electrical gage for measuring rotations that were developed for tests on full-size structures are also presented. (Author)