Validation of Finite Element Models for the Earthquake Simulator of Steel Storage Racks Using Full-Scale Shaking Table Tests

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Abstract

This study aims to conduct an experimental test validated with numerical FE modeling to evaluate the seismic performance of steel storage rack systems in the down-aisle direction. A 3D full-scale cold-formed steel rack system was designed and tested under eight different scales of Northridge earthquake records using a shaking table test. The response displacement, acceleration, and pallet sliding on the beam of the rack were evaluated during the experimental test. A detailed mathematical FE model of the rack system, including geometric features, material nonlinearities, realistic connection behaviors, and the effects of perforations and local discontinuities in the connection, was simulated and analyzed using ANSYS Workbench to validate the results of the experimental tests. The results demonstrated that there was good matching between the FE and test results, and the system started shifting from elastic to inelastic behavior under large scales of excitation. It was also observed that pallet sliding and connection friction significantly controlled the behavior of the rack system under large-scale excitations.  

Author Biographies

FUAT YILMAZ, Yildiz Technical University

Mr. Fuat is currently pursuing his PhD in the structural engineering department at Yildiz Technical University. Mr. Fuat holds a BS degree in civil engineering from IBB University/Yemen (2014). Mr. Fuat holds an MSc degree in structural engineering from Yildiz Technical University/Turkey (2020). Mr. Fuat has experience in steel structure design and its earthquake simulations. He participated in many international conferences and published many research papers on the seismic simulator for steel structures using shaking table tests during his master's and PhD studies.

Fatih ALEMDAR, Yildiz Technical University

Assistant Professor Fatih Alemdar, Ph.D., has expertise in fatigue at Yildiz Technical University. Prof. Fatih holds a PhD in structural engineering from the University of Kansas/USA (2011), an MS degree in structural engineering from the University of Kansas/USA (2010), and a BS degree in civil engineering from Yıldız Technical University (2000). He was promoted in 2013 to an assistant professor at Yildiz Technical University. He had supervised more than 10 Ph.D. and M.Sc. theses in civil engineering. He had published 30 scientific articles and conference papers in international refereed journals.

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Published

28-04-2026

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Articles in Press

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