Hybrid Simulation of RC and ECC Frames with an Experimental Module at Small- Scale

Engineered cementitious composites (ECC) are a fiber-reinforced high-performance material developed as a replacement for conventional concrete. ECC is characterized by high damage tolerance, shear resistance and energy absorption. This paper provides detailed information regarding the hybrid tests performed as a part of a broader experimental program, which was conducted to comparatively investigate the behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) and reinforce ECC structures. The capabilities of the testing facility and the details of the experimental setup and software used to perform hybrid tests are provided. The results of this comparative investigation performed at the component and system levels favor ECC over conventional concrete in terms of the considered seismic response metrics. The advanced small-scale testing equipment alongside the hybrid simulation methodology allows for evaluation of the system performance at a fairly low cost compared to other experimental methods.