Pseudodynamic test and numerical simulation of a large direct air‐cooling structure

Summary In this study, pseudodynamic test was performed to evaluate the seismic performance of air-cooling structures built in the high-intensity earthquake fortification zones. The testing prototype was designed with the scale factor of 1/8, and the structural responses subjected to five peak ground accelerations (PGAs) were investigated followed by a cyclic test. Experimental results, including the lateral displacements, strains and crack patterns, were recorded and presented. The experimental load–displacement hysteretic loops subjected to the cyclic displacement history indicate that the direct air-cooling structure exhibits a good seismic performance with a displacement ductility factor greater than 4. It is particularly noted that the structural integrity is well enhanced by the inter-column connections, which are composed by using the steel truss and diagonal braces, and these steel members mainly remain elastic throughout the testing process. The natural period and the equivalent viscous damping ratio of the first-order mode are also identified on the basis of the test results, which are utilized to calibrate the finite element model. In addition, the predicted lateral displacements based on a damaged plasticity model of concrete agree well with the experimental results. Both the lateral bearing capacity and ductility of the model demonstrate that the direct air-cooling structure meets the seismic design requirement with respect to the high-intensity earthquakes. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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