WP3
Numerical and experimental analysis of HCW components and subsystems
Primary objectives:
Numerical simulation of HCW components and subsystems to study the effectiveness of the improved solutions proposed and selected in WP1;
Experimental tests on HCW subsystems to validate the developed solutions and assess their numerical models.
Numerical finite element investigations were conducted on the individual components and subsystems of the HCW systems.
Three individual components were considered:
RC wall and its base,
Dissipative steel links,
Link-to-column pinned and fixed connections
Two subsystems were considered:
Prefabricated composite wall with steel links, threaded rods and end plate link-to-column connections,
RC wall with link-to-wall posttensioned connection and link-to-column end plate connection.
The rocking base foundation of the RC wall was modelled and analysed based on the available literature considering two cases: (a) a fixed (tapered-base) rocking base RC wall; and (b) a hinged rocking base RC wall, to pre-design the test specimens.
Four subsystems were designed for experimental investigations:
Subsystem 1: HCW system with post-tensioned link-to-wall connection;
Subsystem 2: HCW system with prefabricated composite walls and conventional steel links;
Subsystem 3: HCW system with a fixed (tapered-base) rocking base RC wall;
Subsystem 4: HCW system with a hinged rocking base RC wall.
A detailed description with regard to the preparation of the specimens, as well as the execution of the experimental tests – is presented in the HYCAD report and relevant deliverables. Finite element models were validated based on the aforementioned experimental campaign. Several modelling strategies (simple 2D models, advanced 3D models) were considered. In particular, the input, modelling procedure, boundary conditions, as well as the main outcomes (i.e., a comparison between FEA and test) were presented for each case.
