Abstract
Results from a series of experiments designed to measure the stiffness of low-aspect-ratio, reinforced-concrete shear walls subjected to simulated seismic inputs on a shake table are reported. The geometry of the test structures allows them to be modeled as single-degree-of-freedom systems. Forces were estimated from accelerometer measurements on masses attached to the structures. Dynamic relative-displacement measurements were obtained from groups of strain gages wired in series to act as one continuous gage. Because this method measures relative displacements, potential sources of error associated with unspecified base motion are avoided. tiffness values determined from the relative displacement measurements were compared with stiffness values determined indirectly from frequency-response functions. Measured, accelerometer data were used to calculate the frequency-response functions. The stiffness values determined from the relative-displacement measurements gave results similar to those given by mechanics-of-materials beam theory that accounts for shear deformation. The stiffness values determined from the frequency-response functions were considerably less than those from the theory.
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Farrar, C.R., Baker, W.E. Measuring the stiffness of concrete shear walls during dynamic tests. Experimental Mechanics 32, 179–183 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02324730
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02324730