The seismic performance of lead-rubber bearings (LRBs) is significantly affected by both the axial force and loading rate they experience. Accurate assessment of LRBs’ seismic performance, therefore, requires realistic simulation of these forces and rates, as well as of the response of the isolated structure during seismic events. This study conducted a series of real-time hybrid simulations (RTHS) to evaluate the seismic behavior of LRBs in such conditions. The simulations focused on a two-span continuous bridge isolated by LRBs atop the central pier, exposed to horizontal and vertical ground motions. In the RTHS framework, the LRBs were physically tested in the laboratory, while the remainder of the bridge was numerically modeled. Findings from these simulations indicated that the vertical ground motion had a minimal effect on the lateral response of the bridge when isolated by LRBs.

Structure behaviors resulting from an earthquake are experimentally simulated mainly through a shaking table test. As for large-scale structures, however, size effects over a miniature may make it difficult to assess actual behaviors properly. To address this problem, research on the hybrid simulation is being conducted actively. This method is to implement numerical analysis on framework members that affect the general behavior of the structure dominantly through an actual scale experiment and on the rest parts by applying the substructuring technique. However, existing studies on hybrid simulation focus mainly on Slow experimental methods, which are disadvantageous in that it is unable to assess behaviors close to the actual level if material properties change depending on the speed or the influence of inertial force is significant. The present study aims to establish a Real-time hybrid simulation system capable of excitation based on the actual time history and to verify its performance and applicability. The hybrid simulation system built up in this study utilizes the ATS Compensator system, CR integrator, etc. in order to make the target displacement the same with the measured displacement on the basis of MATLAB/Simulink. The target structure was a 2-span bridge and an RC pier to support it was produced as an experimental model in order for the shaking table test and Slow and Real-time hybrid simulations. Behaviors that result from the earthquake of El Centro were examined, and the results were analyzed comparatively. In comparison with the results of the shaking table test, the Real-time hybrid simulation produced more similar maximum displacement and vibration behaviors than the Slow hybrid simulation. Hence, it is thought that the Real-time hybrid simulation proposed in this study can be utilized usefully in seismic capacity assessment of structural systems such as RC pier that are highly non-linear and time-dependent.

적충되어 있는 다중 블록 시스템은 역사적 건물이나 문화재등에 자주 사용되고 있다. 이러한 구조시스템은 지진에 매우 취약하고, 특히 세장한 구조물인 경우에는 낮은 수준의 지반가속도에 대해서도 전도가 일어날 수 있다. 지진으로부터 이러한 구조물을 보호할 수 있는 방법중의 하나로써 지진격기받침의 사용을 들 수 있으나, 아직 격리받침이 설치되어 있는 다중블록의 거동에 대해서는 잘 알려지지 않는 실정이다. 이 논문에서는 각각 P-F 시스템, FPS, LRB 시스템이 설치되어 있을때의 세장한 강체 블록의 동적거동에 대해 살펴보았다. P-F 시스템과 FPS에서의 마찰모델은 Coulomb의 마찰법칙을 이용하였도, 상부구조물은 붙음(stick)모드와 록킹(rocking) 모드만이 존재하도록 가정하였다. 충격은 개별요소법(distinct element method, DEM)을 이용해 기술하였고, 조화입력운동에 대한 응답을 조사하였다.