Hybrid simulation combines numerical models of structures with physical components under test to enable accurate, meaningful seismic evaluations of civil structures that would be difficult or impossible to conduct using modeling or experimental testing alone. To support complex hybrid simulation experiments, researchers at the University of Toronto have developed UT-SIM, a robust data exchange framework that integrates numerous commercial modeling packages and communicates directly with MTS system controllers.
Dr. Shawn You - Senior Staff Engineer and Brian Kornis - Senior Applications Engineer report on MTS' recent collaboration with the University of Toronto, which yielded NICON-MTS 793, a new middleware that works seamlessly with MTS controller software to integrate the UT-SIM standardized framework of numerical modeling resources into civil hybrid simulation test configurations.
NICON-MTS 793 enables the integration of many numerical models with the MTS 793 software, greatly expanding hybrid simulation options for civil engineering labs that run MTS controllers and test equipment.
Dr. Oh-Sung Kwon - Professor, Department of Civil & Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto explores the contours an capabilities of the UT-SIM Framework, which establishes a standardized data exchange format and communications protocol for integrating a wide array of commercially available numerical modeling software into complex hybrid simulation applications.
The UT-SIM Framework was developed to support multi-platform hybrid simulation applications, such as studying the behavior and interaction of building components and full structures when subjected to hard-to-model fire or wind loading. Learn more about UT-SIM, NICON and multi-platform hybrid simulation at www.ut-sim.ca.
Dr. Shawn Gao - Senior Systems Integration Engineer and Dr. Xu Huang - Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Civil & Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto demonstrate the utility of NICON-MTS 793 through a series of local and distributed hybrid simulation tests, integrating an MTS controller and test rig with a variety of modeling packages supported in the UT-SIM Framework, including OpenSees, Abaqus, MatLab and Python.
With access to a wealth of numerical modeling options and the ability to conduct geographically distributed hybrid simulation, NICON-MTS 793 affords researchers new opportunities for collaboration and sharing of experimental infrastructure.
