Reliability Assessment in Pseudo-Dynamic and Dynamic Tests

A general approach to the definition and assessment of response errors in dynamic and pseudo-dynamic tests is presented. By use of complete measurements during the test, the characteristics of the experimental and the prototype system can be estimated by means of a linear ideal representation. This allows comparing quantitatively in terms of eigenfrequencies and damping ratios the experimental system and the prototype one. In the pseudo-dynamic test, the apparent effect of control errors is a modification of the linear-equivalent matrices of stiffness and damping which are identified from the experimental data. In the shaking-table test, the control errors may introduce spurious excitation that, if properly measured, can also be shown to modify the response characteristics.