A real-time hybrid testing based on restart-loading technology for viscous damper

Guoshan Xu,Lichang Zheng,Bin Wu,Zhuangzhuang Ji,Zhen Wang,Ge Yang 국제구조공학회 2023 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.32 No.6

Real-Time Hybrid Testing (RTHT) requires the numerical substructure calculations to be completed within the defined integration time interval due to its real-time loading demands. For solving the problem, A Real-Time Hybrid Testing based on Restart-Loading Technology (RTHT-RLT) is proposed in this paper. In the proposed method, in case of the numerical substructure calculations cannot be completed within the defined integration time interval, the experimental substructure was returned back to the initial state statically. When the newest loading commands were calculated by the numerical substructure, the experimental substructure was restarted loading from the initial state to the newest loading commands so as to precisely disclosing the dynamic performance of the experimental substructure. Firstly, the methodology of the RTHT-RLT is proposed. Furthermore, the numerical simulations and experimental tests on one frame structure with a viscous damper are conducted for evaluating the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed RTHT-RLT. It is shown that the proposed RTHT-RLT innovatively renders the nonreal-time refined calculation of the numerical substructure feasible for the RTHT. The numerical and experimental results show that the proposed RTHT-RLT exhibits excellent performance in terms of stability and accuracy. The proposed RTHT-RLT may have broad application prospects for precisely investigating the dynamic behavior of large and complex engineering structures with specific experimental substructure where a restarting procedure does not affect the relevant hysteretic response.

A real-time hybrid testing method for vehicle-bridge coupling systems

Guoshan Xu,Yutong Jiang,Xizhan Ning,Zhipeng Liu 국제구조공학회 2024 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.33 No.1

The investigation on vehicle-bridge coupling system (VBCS) is crucial in bridge design, bridge condition evaluation, and vehicle overload control. A real-time hybrid testing (RTHT) method for VBCS (RTHT-VBCS) is proposed in this paper for accurately and economically disclosing the dynamic performance of VBCSs. In the proposed method, one of the carriages is chosen as the experimental substructure loaded by servo-hydraulic actuator loading system in the laboratory, and the remaining carriages as well as the bridge structure are chosen as the numerical substructure numerically simulated in one computer. The numerical substructure and the experimental substructure are synchronized at their coupling points in terms of force equilibrium and deformation compatibility. Compared to the traditional iteration experimental method and the numerical simulation method, the proposed RTHT-VBCS method could not only obtain the dynamic response of VBCS, but also economically analyze various working conditions. Firstly, the theory of RTHT-VBCS is proposed. Secondly, numerical models of VBCS for RTHT method are presented. Finally, the feasibility and accuracy of the RTHT-VBCS are preliminarily validated by real-time hybrid simulations (RTHSs). It is shown that, the proposed RTHT-VBCS is feasible and shows great advantages over the traditional methods, and the proposed models can effectively represent the VBCS for RTHT method in terms of the force equilibrium and deformation compatibility at the coupling point. It is shown that the results of the single-degree-offreedom model and the train vehicle model are match well with the referenced results. The RTHS results preliminarily prove the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed RTHT-VBCS.

Validation of model-based adaptive control method for real-time hybrid simulation

Guoshan Xu,Xizhan Ning,Wei Huang,Zhen Wang,Lichang Zheng 국제구조공학회 2023 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.31 No.3

Real-time hybrid simulation (RTHS) is an effective experimental technique for structural dynamic assessment. However, time delay causes displacement de-synchronization at the interface between the numerical and physical substructures, negatively affecting the accuracy and stability of RTHS. To this end, the authors have proposed a model-based adaptive control strategy with a Kalman filter (MAC-KF). In the proposed method, the time delay is mainly mitigated by a parameterized feedforward controller, which is designed using the discrete inverse model of the control plant and adjusted using the KF based on the displacement command and measurement. A feedback controller is employed to improve the robustness of the controller. The objective of this study is to further validate the power of dealing with a nonlinear control plant and to investigate the potential challenges of the proposed method through actual experiments. In particular, the effect of the order of the feedforward controller on tracking performance was numerically investigated using a nonlinear control plant; a series of actual RTHS of a frame structure equipped with a magnetorheological damper was performed using the proposed method. The findings reveal significant improvement in tracking accuracy, demonstrating that the proposed method effectively suppresses the time delay in RTHS. In addition, the parameters of the control plant are timely updated, indicating that it is feasible to estimate the control plant parameter by KF. The order of the feedforward controller has a limited effect on the control performance of the MAC-KF method, and the feedback controller is beneficial to promote the accuracy of RTHS.

A model-based adaptive control method for real-time hybrid simulation

Guoshan Xu,Xizhan Ning,Wei Huang,Zhen Wang,Lichang Zheng 국제구조공학회 2023 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.31 No.5

Real-time hybrid simulation (RTHS), which has the advantages of a substructure pseudo-dynamic test, is widely used to investigate the rate-dependent mechanical response of structures under earthquake excitation. However, time delay in RTHS can cause inaccurate results and experimental instabilities. Thus, this study proposes a model-based adaptive control strategy using a Kalman filter (KF) to minimize the time delay and improve RTHS stability and accuracy. In this method, the adaptive control strategy consists of three parts—a feedforward controller based on the discrete inverse model of a servohydraulic actuator and physical specimen, a parameter estimator using the KF, and a feedback controller. The KF with the feedforward controller can significantly reduce the variable time delay due to its fast convergence and high sensitivity to the error between the desired displacement and the measured one. The feedback control can remedy the residual time delay and minimize the method's dependence on the inverse model, thereby improving the robustness of the proposed control method. The tracking performance and parametric studies are conducted using the benchmark problem in RTHS. The results reveal that better tracking performance can be obtained, and the KF's initial settings have limited influence on the proposed strategy. Virtual RTHSs are conducted with linear and nonlinear physical substructures, respectively, and the results indicate brilliant tracking performance and superb robustness of the proposed method.

An adaptive delay compensation method based on a discrete system model for real-time hybrid simulation

Zhen Wang,Guoshan Xu,Qiang Li,Bin Wu 국제구조공학회 2020 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.25 No.5

The identification of delays and delay compensation are critical problems in real-time hybrid simulations (RTHS). Conventional delay compensation methods are mostly based on the assumption of a constant delay. However, the system delay may vary during tests owing to the nonlinearity of the loading system and/or the behavioral variations of the specimen. To address this issue, this study presents an adaptive delay compensation method based on a discrete model of the loading system. In particular, the parameters of this discrete model are identified and updated online with the least-squares method to represent a servo hydraulic loading system. Furthermore, based on this model, the system delays are compensated for by generating system commands using the desired displacements, achieved displacements, and previous displacement commands. This method is more general than the existing compensation methods because it can predict commands based on multiple displacement categories. Moreover, this method is straightforward and suitable for implementation on digital signal processing boards because it relies solely on the displacements rather than on velocity and/or acceleration data. The virtual and real RTHS results show that the studied method exhibits satisfactory estimation smoothness and compensation accuracy. Furthermore, considering the measurement noise, the low-order parameter models of this method are more favorable than that the high-order parameter models.

Numerical Analysis of a Novel Prefabricated Concrete Beam with Double-Grouted Couplers under Static Loading

Zhiwei Lu,Bin Wu,Guoshan Xu 대한토목학회 2023 KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Vol.27 No.8

This paper provides a nonlinear finite element (FE) investigation of a novel prefabricated beam with double-grouted coupler splices to complement the experimental work and promote its application. FE model considering the surface-to-surface contact behaviour between the prefabricated concrete and grouting mortar is constructed and validated using test data. The validated model is subsequently utilised to conduct a parametric analysis of the most influential factors comprising the diameter and eccentricity of linking rebar and connecting length. Results indicate that the fewer the grouted couplers and the shorter the coupler length, the smaller the effect on the damage pattern and stress distribution of the beam. As the tensile linking rebar diameter increases by 2 mm and 4 mm, the ultimate stress of the linking rebar decreases by 33.4% and 44.0%, respectively, and the maximal crack width in the linking region drops by 85.9% and 97.7%, respectively. Increasing the tension linking rebar diameter significantly reduces the unfavourable influence of linking rebar eccentricity on the linking zone crack width. A decrease in the filler length helps lessen the crack width in the connecting region. Based on the present study, several recommendations for practical engineering use of the developed beam are also presented.

An effective online delay estimation method based on a simplified physical system model for real-time hybrid simulation

Zhen Wang,Bin Wu,Guoshan Xu,Yong Ding,Oreste S. Bursi 국제구조공학회 2014 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.14 No.6

Real-Time Hybrid Simulation (RTHS) is a novel approach conceived to evaluate dynamic responses of structures with parts of a structure physically tested and the remainder parts numerically modelled. In RTHS, delay estimation is often a precondition of compensation; nonetheless, system delay may vary during testing. Consequently, it is sometimes necessary to measure delay online. Along these lines, this paper proposes an online delay estimation method using least-squares algorithm based on a simplified physical system model, i.e., a pure delay multiplied by a gain reflecting amplitude errors of physical system control. Advantages and disadvantages of different delay estimation methods based on this simplified model are firstly discussed. Subsequently, it introduces the least-squares algorithm in order to render the estimator based on Taylor series more practical yet effective. As a result, relevant parameter choice results to be quite easy. Finally in order to verify performance of the proposed method, numerical simulations and RTHS with a buckling-restrained brace specimen are carried out. Relevant results show that the proposed technique is endowed with good convergence speed and accuracy, even when measurement noises and amplitude errors of actuator control are present.

An effective online delay estimation method based on a simplified physical system model for real-time hybrid simulation

Wang, Zhen,Wu, Bin,Bursi, Oreste S.,Xu, Guoshan,Ding, Yong Techno-Press 2014 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.14 No.6

Real-Time Hybrid Simulation (RTHS) is a novel approach conceived to evaluate dynamic responses of structures with parts of a structure physically tested and the remainder parts numerically modelled. In RTHS, delay estimation is often a precondition of compensation; nonetheless, system delay may vary during testing. Consequently, it is sometimes necessary to measure delay online. Along these lines, this paper proposes an online delay estimation method using least-squares algorithm based on a simplified physical system model, i.e., a pure delay multiplied by a gain reflecting amplitude errors of physical system control. Advantages and disadvantages of different delay estimation methods based on this simplified model are firstly discussed. Subsequently, it introduces the least-squares algorithm in order to render the estimator based on Taylor series more practical yet effective. As a result, relevant parameter choice results to be quite easy. Finally in order to verify performance of the proposed method, numerical simulations and RTHS with a buckling-restrained brace specimen are carried out. Relevant results show that the proposed technique is endowed with good convergence speed and accuracy, even when measurement noises and amplitude errors of actuator control are present.

Performance validation and application of a mixed force-displacement loading strategy for bi-directional hybrid simulation

Zhen Wang,Qiyang Tan,Pengfei Shi,Ge Yang,Siyu Zhu,Guoshan Xu,Bin Wu,Jianyun Sun 국제구조공학회 2020 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.26 No.3

Hybrid simulation (HS) is a versatile tool for structural performance evaluation under dynamic loads. Although real structural responses are often multiple-directional owing to an eccentric mass/stiffness of the structure and/or excitations not along structural major axes, few HS in this field takes into account structural responses in multiple directions. Multi-directional loading is more challenging than uni-directional loading as there is a nonlinear transformation between actuator and specimen coordinate systems, increasing the difficulty of suppressing loading error. Moreover, redundant actuators may exist in multi-directional hybrid simulations of large-scale structures, which requires the loading strategy to contain ineffective loading of multiple actuators. To address these issues, lately a new strategy was conceived for accurate reproduction of desired displacements in bi-directional hybrid simulations (BHS), which is characterized in two features, i.e., iterative displacement command updating based on the Jacobian matrix considering nonlinear geometric relationships, and force-based control for compensating ineffective forces of redundant actuators. This paper performs performance validation and application of this new mixed loading strategy. In particular, virtual BHS considering linear and nonlinear specimen models, and the diversity of actuator properties were carried out. A validation test was implemented with a steel frame specimen. A real application of this strategy to BHS on a full-scale 2-story frame specimen was performed. Studies showed that this strategy exhibited excellent tracking performance for the measured displacements of the control point and remarkable compensation for ineffective forces of the redundant actuator. This strategy was demonstrated to be capable of accurately and effectively reproducing the desired displacements in large-scale BHS.