System Identification of Hysteretic Structures

Abstract

This thesis is concerned with the earthquake response of hysteretic structures subjected to strong ground acceleration. Several earthquake records corresponding to different instrumented buildings are analyzed. Based on these observations, a new model for the dynamic behavior of reinforced concrete buildings is proposed. In addition, a suitable system identification algorithm to be used with this new model is introduced. This system identification algorithm is based upon matching the restoring force behavior of the structure rather than the time history of the response. As a consequence, the new algorithm exhibits significant advantages from a computational point of view. Some numerical examples using actual earthquake data are discussed.