Development of Software and Hardware Architecture for Real-Time Dynamic Hybrid Testing and Application to a Base Isolated Structure

Real-Time Dynamic Hybrid Test (RTDHT) is a promising experimental testing technique, which combines
numerical simulation and experimental testing of physical specimen in a complementary and
efficient way. However, taking advantage of both numerical and experimental capabilities requires
facing issues related to both environments.
In this article, the design and implementation of a RTDHT hardware and software architecture
is presented. Issues related both to the numerical model and to the experimental setup are
discussed; this is done from a general perspective, as well as referring to a base isolated structure
which represents the implemented case study.