Description

ACI 374.2R – Guide for Testing Reinforced Concrete Structural Elements under Slowly Applied Simulated Seismic Loads

This is a guide for testing reinforced concrete structural elements under slowly applied simulated seismic loading. The tests are primarily intended for assessing strength, stiffness, and deformability of elements under earthquake effects. Integrated are guidelines on primary stages of structural testing, including design and preparation of test specimens, materials testing, instrumentation, test procedure and loading regime, test observations and data collection, and reporting of test observations and test data. Emphasis is on the correlation of test data and predetermined structural performance levels to enable performance-based design practices. Drift ratio is adopted as the primary performance indicator. Increments of drift ratio are used in describing the loading history. More refined deformation components are used to describe element performance levels and assist in establishing whether a given test specimen meets the requirements of a specific performance level.

This guide summarizes ASCE 41-06 performance levels as operational, immediate occupancy, life safety, and collapse prevention. It outlines different types of structural elements and subassemblies that may be tested, and identifies specific requirements for boundary conditions, instrumentation, and test setups. Unidirectional and bidirectional loading histories are described in terms of incrementally increasing lateral drift ratio cycles. Methods of recording and reporting essential components of deformation and force quantities are identified to correlate test data and target performance levels. This guide is intended to maximize the usefulness of information that can be acquired from experimental research. It is intended to complement guidelines for structural testing with specific focus. This guide is not intended for seismic qualification by testing agencies, though they can be used as resource materials for the development of such qualification protocols.