Prestressed Concrete Frame Stress Test Shanghai University
Project name: Shanghai Certain University Stress Test
Brief introduction: Modern structural engineering demands a comprehensive and deep understanding of how various building materials perform under real-world stress conditions — especially in critical and complex structures such as prestressed reinforced concrete (PRC) frames. To contribute to advancing this important area of research, Shanghai Certain University recently conducted a specialized stress test along with an extensive fatigue analysis of PRC frames as a key component of its ongoing and broader structural safety research program.
The project primarily focused on performing a vertical pseudo-static test on a prestressed steel-concrete frame, carefully simulating the realistic conditions that the structure might experience during seismic events or repeated load scenarios. This testing method enables engineers to closely study and analyze the detailed behavior of the frame under controlled loading cycles that effectively mimic the complex effects caused by earthquakes or operational fatigue over time.
Dynatronic’s advanced data acquisition systems were used to accurately record high-precision data continuously throughout the entire test, providing detailed and comprehensive insights into:
✅ Hysteretic performance — how the structure dissipates energy through cycles of loading and unloading
✅ Fatigue life — evaluating how the frame responds to low-cycle loading, which can induce long-term material degradation
✅ Restoring force behavior — using a three-line restoring force model to predict structural response and failure points
By carefully analyzing the stress, strain, and displacement observed during each individual test cycle, the engineering team was able to comprehensively map out the frame’s dynamic behavior in detail. These detailed results are invaluable for:
Validating and refining structural models
Optimizing the design of future PRC structures for seismic resilience
Improving understanding of material fatigue in complex assemblies
Dynatronic is proud to support leading universities in their pursuit of safer, more durable civil engineering designs by providing advanced testing systems that deliver the precise and reliable data engineers need to drive innovation and improve infrastructure resilience.
