Work Package 4

WP 4 experimentally validates the improvements proposed for INERD connection within WP1. Therefore, tests on single connections with DRD type 1 will be carried out to determine their characteristics under static and cyclic loading. The best performing DRD1s will be subjected to shaking table tests. The pilot specimens will be designed considering the outcomes of these tests.
The shaking table specimens of two-storey 3D structures will be designed with DRDs with common steel and high-strength steel, in 1:2 scale. Subsequently, an experimental investigation will take place in order to determine the dynamic behaviour of the pilot buildings with DRDs subjected to biaxial lateral earthquake ground motions. The three pilot buildings will be tested by means of shaking table tests, allowing proper validation of the structural response under different earthquake records, aiming at the industrial and commercial exploitation of the proposed technology, at a minimum risk. In order to investigate the dynamic response of the structure as close as possible to the real conditions, the onset of the lateral-torsional coupling mechanism will be taken into account.
Three pilot multi-storey 2D structures with DRDs (with DRD3 endowed with steel-concrete composite floor) will be subjected to seismic loadings via hybrid simulation.The purpose is to experimentally investigate the dynamic behaviour of the pilot multi-storey buildings endowed with DRDs subjected to horizontal earthquake ground motions. In accordance with the Performance-based seismic design a series of hybrid tests at increasing ground motion amplitudes will be carried out to examine the response of the 6- storey structures corresponding to various limit states or performance levels.