Research and application of real-time substructure testing

Recently, a variety of vibration control devices have been introduced in structures, many of which have velocity dependent characteristics, for examples viscous or viscoelastic dampers, semi-active devices and active control systems. Pseudo-dynamic testing over extended timescales is obviously unsuitable for assessing the performance of structures incorporating velocity dependent devices. As a result real-time substructure testing (RST), an extension of the pseudo-dynamic testing approach has been proposed by Nakashima et al. and since the method has been developed by numerous research groups. This paper reviews the recent development of RST and points out some important issues in further research.