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	A Conference on Architectural SuretyÒ
	Assuring the Performance of Buildings and Infrastructures
	PROCEEDINGS

Full-Scale Testing for Structural Safety and Assessment

G. S. T. Armer

GA Consulting

ABSTRACT

This paper presents the case for full-scale testing of complete structures as an essential element in the search for improved economy and safety of structures. Over the past 50 years a large proportion of research on the behavior of structures has been concerned with the structural performance of isolated members and the development of analytical techniques. Whilst there may be some unsolved problems with isolated members, notably the behavior of composite sections, it is generally considered that there is no immediate need for further research in this area. This does not imply that future testing will not involve isolated members quite the opposite. One of the aims of full-scale testing is to identify those restraints which have a significant influence on the performance of individual members. This information can then be used to develop more realistic isolated member and sub-assemblage tests. These models can be used to study parts of buildings without going to the expense of constructing a real building.

Although further improvements in analytical methods and computer applications will occur and will be required to deal with complex problems, such as those involving dynamic and fire loads, the main requirements for the future are to improve the correlation between design models and the behavior of actual structures.

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