Annex: Master Configuration Files

A DLL (Dynamic Link Library) is a file of code containing functions that can be called from other executable code. The advantage of working with DLLs at ELSA PsD Master controller is in the modularity for programming the testing method and algorithm without the need to work with the master.exe program. This new version of DLL allows the implementation of both PsD and Cyclic test, plus strain-rate effect compensation, re-start capabilities and a large variety of security alarms. In this manual the user will find a full explanation of how to use the DLL throughout some simple examples. In this Annex the user can find some other examples coming from real tests carried out at ELSA laboratory.JRC.G.5-European laboratory for structural assessmen

ELASPSD Data Acquisition and Signal Generator User Manual

The European Laboratory for Structural Assessment (ELSA) belongs to the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission. It is one of the units of the Institute for the Protection and Security of the Citizen (IPSC) at the Ispra Site of the JRC. The main facility of ELSA is a large Reaction Wall‐Strong Floor system equipped with powerful servoactuators used to simulate the response of civil full‐size structures submitted to dynamic loads using the ELSAPSD testing system. During a test, the user may want some data to be displayed, analyzed or/and stored in the computer. This can be made through an acquisition object. This manual explains how to use an acquisition starting from the most simple case, which is using an acquisition node with an internal trigger. Each chapter adds new information to the previous one, so it is interesting to read the manual in a sequential order. This manuals refers to the acquisition software of ELSAPSD according to the versions PSDCYC03.DLL and M13.004 of the master controller software and acqui.exe???????

Seismic testing of large scale structures with dissipator devices

Seismic testing of large-size models is nowadays possible thanks to the pseudodynamic (PsD) method, which resembles a quasi-static method with the application of slowly varying forces to the test structure. Low testing velocity may change the behaviour of the materials with respect to their behaviour at real velocity due to strain rate effect (SRE). The SRE during a PsD test is not relevant for the classical construction materials. However, it can be very important for some new materials, such as rubber or silicon, mostly used in isolators or energy dissipative devices. Silicone fluid viscous dampers are an example of these dissipative devices, and they will be the subject of this paper. It is possible to extend the PsD method range of application to structures equipped with dissipative devices by introducing a correction technique (CT) developed by the European Laboratory for Structural Assessment (European Commission) in Ispra, Italy. This technique consists of an on-line linear modification of the restoring measured forces. In this paper, two new procedures of CT are proposed. The first procedure consists of a linear filter where the output is the corrected force and the inputs are the measured forces and displacements. The second procedure is based on neural networks, using the same input but adding the test velocity rate. First, the most appropriate scheme of the algorithms was selected and calibrated. This is based on experimental data obtained by dynamically testing the dissipation devices with a displacement pattern, which was specifically designed for this purpose, at different frequencies and test velocities. Then, the capability of the obtained filter/net is tested using experimental data. Additionally, the most appropriate frequency for the training tests was studied. Outcomes were successful. Both algorithms outperform the previous linear CT, the net-based one being the most accurate and versatile. It was found that the first natural frequency of the unprotected structure is an adequate reference for the training tests

Interpretation of in-situ shear test for brick masonry: a benchmark study

The determination of the shear strength parameters by means of in-situ shove test is a key issue in the material characterization of unreinforced brick masonry buildings. The wall stress distribution following the removal of the bricks and the mortar joint dilatancy affect the determination of the friction angle and the initial shear strength respectively. A new approach for the definition of the compression in the test unit and the evaluation of the effect of the joint dilatancy on the initial shear strength has been developed. The compression in the test unit is evaluated based on simple formulas which relate the compression stress on the test unit to both the geometry of the specimen and the existing compression on the wall. The joint dilatancy produces an increment of both shear and normal stress at the initial phase of the shove test when the specimen is at low level of compression and at small relative horizontal displacements. In particular, it was observed that the increment of normal stress is due to restrain the tendency of the joint to expand vertically while the brick is pushed. The new approach was validated by means of an experimental benchmark campaign developed at University of Pavia and Delft University of Technology in which specimens made by replicated brick masonry were subjected to triplet tests

Annex: Data Acquisition and Signal Generator Examples

During a test, the user may want some data to be displayed, analyzed or/and stored in the computer. This can be made through an acquisition. The acquisition manual explains how to do an acquisition starting from the most simple case: using an acquisition node with an internal trigger. Each chapter adds new information to the previous one: using an external trigger, a master controller, etc. In this annex the user can find different examples of each case.JRC.G.5-European laboratory for structural assessmen

A masonry catalogue for the Groningen region

Human induced seismicity has become an uprising problem in the Groningen region of The Netherlands, in which the vast majority of buildings are non-seismically engineered unreinforced masonry houses. In order to accurately assess the seismic vulnerability of these buildings, a characterization of the constitutive masonry is required. In 2015, as a part of a larger project, a campaign on the material characterization of existing buildings was performed, including laboratory and in-situ testing of the masonry walls. The campaign constitutes the germ for the creation of a regional material properties database. 16 buildings were tested in total, comprising residential structures and schools, dating from the early ‘20s to 2005. The constitutive walls included both clay and calcium silicate brick masonry of various qualities and conditions. The in-situ testing included non-destructive tests such as rebound hammer and sonic tests, and semidestructive test, i.e. flat jack and shove test. Samples were carefully taken to the laboratory, where the destructive campaign took place, including compressive, flexural, shear and bond wrench tests. Despite of the limited number of sampled buildings, the campaign provided a better insight of the researched material. The available data suggests that the use of sub-typologies (e.g. depending of the masonry quality or condition) could reduce the dispersion on the results. A first attempt of correlation between in-situ and laboratory tests is proposed, which could benefit from further calibration. In this paper, the material characterization campaign is described, and the main outcomes are discussed

Rehabilitación sísmica estructural de colegios de educación primaria

El presente libro tiene como objetivo la presentación del trabajo desarro-llado en el proyecto europeo de investigación PERSISTAH (Projetos de Escolas Resilientes aos SISmos no Território do Algarve e de Huelva, en portugués), el cual se ha desarrollado de forma cooperativa por la Universidad de Sevilla (España) y la Universidad del Algarve (Portugal). Dicho proyecto de investigación se centra en el estudio y la valoración del riesgo sísmico de edificios de educación primaria en el territorio del Algarve (Portugal) y Huelva (España). Para ello se han tenido en cuenta los objetivos establecidos por las Plataformas Nacionales para la Reducción de Riesgo de Catástrofes (PNRRC) de las Comisiones Na-cionales de Protección Civil de Portugal y de España.Programa INTERREG-POCTEP España-Portugal e o Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

¿Por qué se mueve el suelo?

Está guía está concebida para apoyar la formación del personal educativo de enseñanza primaria, que quiera mejorar su conocimiento y desarrollar actividades sobre el riesgo sísmico y de tsunami. Los contenidos e información de este documento son fruto del trabajo realizado en el marco del proyecto PERSISTAH, y también como continuación de otros proyectos en los que algunos autores han participado.Programa INTERREG-POCTEP España-Portugal e o Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER); Projeto PERSISTAH (Projetos de Escolas Resilientes aos SISmos no Território do Algarve e de Huelva)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Fast seismic assessment of built urban areas with the accuracy of mechanical methods using a feedforward neural network

Capacity curves obtained from nonlinear static analyses are widely used to perform seismic assessments of structures as an alternative to dynamic analysis. This paper presents a novel ‘en masse’ method to assess the seismic vulnerability of urban areas swiftly and with the accuracy of mechanical methods. At the core of this methodology is the calculation of the capacity curves of low-rise reinforced concrete buildings using neural networks, where no modeling of the building is required. The curves are predicted with minimal error, needing only basic geometric and material parameters of the structures to be specified. As a first implementation, a typology of prismatic buildings is defined and a training set of more than 7000 structures generated. The capacity curves are calculated through push-over analysis using SAP2000. The results feature the prediction of 100-point curves in a single run of the network while maintaining a very low mean absolute error. This paper proposes a method that improves current seismic assessment tools by providing a fast and accurate calculation of the vulnerability of large sets of buildings in urban environments.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Guía práctica para un colegio resiliente a los sismos

Esta guía pretende ser un recurso, que no un manual, para aumentar la resiliencia de la comunidad educativa, mostrándole qué es lo que puede hacer por sí misma y cómo puede fortalecer sus capacidades frente al riesgo sísmico (por ejemplo, estando informada y familiarizada con las características que inciden en la vulnerabilidad de un espacio en caso de terremoto, y preparada para proteger a los estudiantes bajo su tutela antes de que la tierra tiemble).Programa INTERREG-POCTEP España-Portugal e o Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER); Projeto PERSISTAH (Projetos de Escolas Resilientes aos SISmos no Território do Algarve e de Huelva)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio