Considerations for the development of real‐time dynamic testing using servo‐hydraulic actuation

TLDR

The study investigates the application of servo‑hydraulic systems for real‑time large‑scale structural testing in force control (effective force testing) and displacement control (real‑time pseudodynamic testing). The authors develop mathematical models for both force‑ and displacement‑control systems, examining how servo‑system dynamics, nonlinearities, actuator damping, piston mass, and response delay influence overall performance. Numerical simulations and experiments demonstrate that the identified control schemes can effectively compensate for the servo‑hydraulic system influences that otherwise impair real‑time dynamic testing. © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Abstract

Abstract This paper presents a study of the use of servo‐hydraulic systems in the implementation of real‐time large‐scale structural testing methods in force control such as effective force testing (EFT) and in displacement control such as real‐time pseudodynamic testing (RPsD). Mathematical models for both types of control systems are presented and used to investigate the influences of servo‐systems on the overall system performance. Parameters investigated include the overall system dynamics, nonlinearities of servo‐systems, actuator damping, system mass including piston mass, and system response delay. Results of both numerical simulations and experiments showed that many of the influences of the servo‐hydraulic system that significantly affect the real‐time dynamic tests can be properly compensated through control schemes identified in this paper. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.