Large Scale Testing

A brief summary of the European research involving Large-scale testing is given. Present and near future opportunities to further advance knowledge on earthquake behaviour and performance of structures are depicted. Performance-Based Seismic Design (PBSD) and Risk Assessment are recalled in view of the definition of structural testing procedures and protocols and also in view of the type of tests required. The importance of non-structural components is highlighted. Some tests performed at ELSA in support of the European Design Code (Eurocode 8) and on assessment and retrofit of existing structures are summarized. As examples of more advanced testing technique, Pseudo-dynamic tests with nonlinear substructuring carried out on bridges, are illustrated. The contribution and role of Large-scale testing to the challenging development and implementation of PBSD are addressed.