Substructure hybrid simulation has been actively investigated in recent years. The simulation method allows for the assessment of seismic performance of structures by representing critical components with physical specimens and the rest of the structure with numerical models. In this study the system level performance of a six-storey structure with self-centering energy dissipative (SCED) braces was validated through pseudo dynamic (PsD) hybrid simulation. Fragility curves are derived for the SCED system. The study presents the configuration of the hybrid simulation and discusses some of the practical intricacies in performing PsD hybrid simulations. In addition the study addresses some of the challenges associated with the substructuring process during a hybrid simulation. Two techniques, extensive analytical study and model updation, are discussed to improve the response from the hybrid simulation accounting for the variation in global response of a structural system depending on which structural element was represented as a physical specimen.

Substructure hybrid simulation has been actively investigated in recent years. The simulation method allows for the assessment of seismic performance of structures by representing critical components with physical specimens and the rest of the structure with numerical models. In this study the system level performance of a six-storey structure with self-centering energy dissipative (SCED) braces was validated through pseudo dynamic (PsD) hybrid simulation. Fragility curves are derived for the SCED system. The study presents the configuration of the hybrid simulation and discusses some of the practical intricacies in performing PsD hybrid simulations. In addition the study addresses some of the challenges associated with the substructuring process during a hybrid simulation. Two techniques, extensive analytical study and model updation, are discussed to improve the response from the hybrid simulation accounting for the variation in global response of a structural system depending on which structural element was represented as a physical specimen.