NiTi SMA Reinforced Rubber Plastic Hinge - Reassembled Column Test (NR-R)

Column model quarter scale precast plastic hinge using conventional reinforced concrete in the footing and top column body, and rotational rubber and unbonded Nickel-Titanium superelastic SMA (Shape Memory Alloy) in the plastic hinge base element. Column dimensions and reinforcement followed the 2011 AASHTO Guide Specifications for LRFD Seismic Bridge design when possible. The base element's longitudinal and transverse steel were proportioned to be around typical values used for reinforced concrete bridge columns. The confinement and reinforcement in the upper column body were proportioned to avoid damage in this element. The 228 component of the Rinaldi Receiving Station (RRS) record of the Northridge Earthquake was used for shake table tests. The design ground motion was determined based on the 5%-damped spectral ordinate for a period equal to the effective period. Time scale has been compressed by a factor of 0.5 to account for the geometric scale of the column model. Column geometry: 63.5 inch height, 12 inch column diameter at base, 4.5 aspect ratio, 60 kip axial load, 1.16% longitudinal SMA ratio. Mass rig frame & blocks together equal 60 kip inertia mass.