Use of large numerical models and high performance computers in geographically distributed seismic tests

Abstract

Although major improvements have been made in the field of hybrid simulation, the numerical models used in the tests are fairly simple, reaching only an order of ten Dynamic Degrees of Freedom (DDOF). However, the presence of large computational facilities along with the implementation of a Platform for Geographically Distributed Seismic Tests (PGDSTs) provides the possibility to use large and complex numerical models, maybe consisting of a couple of thousand DDOF, within the context of continuous hybrid simulations that work with acceptable time scale factors. However, the use of these facilities requires some approach from both parts in order to solve major issues such as the operating mode and thread to transfer data between facilities, or adapting the substructure algorithms to work in a parallel fashion through the use of special libraries and specifications among others. This paper presents ongoing work within SERIES to assess the extensibility of the PGDSTs to use HPC facilities as well as adapting the substructure algorithm developed by Dorka, which has been used successfully not only in Earthquake Engineering but also in aerospace applications. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012.