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Earthquakes and Structures Volume 13, Number 2, August 2017 , pages 165-176 DOI: https://doi.org/10.12989/eas.2017.13.2.165 |
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The multi-axial testing system for earthquake engineering researches |
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Te-Hung Lin, Pei-Ching Chen and Ker-Chun Lin
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| Abstract | ||
| Multi-Axial Testing System (MATS) is a 6-DOF loading system located at National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering (NCREE) in Taiwan for advanced seismic testing of structural components or sub-assemblages. MATS was designed and constructed for a large variety of structural testing, especially for the specimens that require to be subjected to vertical and longitudinal loading simultaneously, such as reinforced concrete columns and lead rubber bearings. Functionally, MATS consists of a high strength self-reacting frame, a rigid platen, and a large number of servo-hydraulic actuators. The high strength self-reacting frame is composed of two post-tensioned A-shape reinforced concrete frames interconnected by a steel-and-concrete composite cross beam and a reinforced concrete reacting base. The specimen can be anchored between the top cross beam and the bottom rigid platen within a 5-meter high and 3.25-meter wide clear space. In addition to the longitudinal horizontal actuators that can be installed for various configurations, a total number of 13 servo-hydraulic actuators are connected to the rigid platen. Degree-of-freedom control of the rigid platen can be achieved by driving these actuators commanded by a digital controller. The specification and information of MATS in detail are described in this paper, providing the users with a technical point of view on the design, application, and limitation of MATS. Finally, future potential application employing advanced experimental technology is also presented in this paper. | ||
| Key Words | ||
| multi-axial testing system; degree-of-freedom control; advanced experimental technology; structural testing | ||
| Address | ||
| Te-Hung Lin and Ker-Chun Lin: National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering, National Applied Research Laboratories, 200, Sec. 3, HsinHai Rd., Taipei 106, Taiwan Pei-Ching Chen: Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, No.43, Keelung Rd., Sec.4, Taipei 106, Taiwan | ||