Shaking Table Test of a 1 : 2 . 35 Scale 4-Story Building Constructed with a 3 D Panel System

The seismic behaviour of a 4-story building is investigated under horizontal excitation of simulated earthquakes. The model has been constructed with a 3D sandwich panel system without any conventional frame system in four storeys on a shaking table. The building has been modelled before construction. Due to the table limit, the scale factor of the model is chosen as 1:2.35 of a prototype. The shaking table test of the scaled model of the building is carried out under several ground motions to verify the safety of the system. The simulated motions were applied to the model in two-perpendicular directions, simultaneously. The failure mechanism and dynamic behaviour of the model, as a 3D-panel building, is investigated in this study. Also, the objective of the study is to obtain the seismic performances of the described structural system under dynamic loading such as linear and non-linear structural characteristics, hysteretic behaviour, deformability and failure mechanism. Using these shaking tests, structural responses such as seismic capacity and damage mechanics, the distribution of seismic forces and weak points in the structures are evaluated. In addition, the lateral deformations, e.g. storey drifts are measured experimentally in the time domain. Accelerometers are mounted to measure accelerations in both vertical and horizontal directions. The results indicate that the 3D-panel system, due to its being well-con ned and its integrity, can resist mainly in the linear domain and has an adequate load bearing potential against moderate-intense seismic excitation.