Lehigh Data Model
Large-scale structural experiments are carried out to evaluate and improve the performance of members, connections, frames, and other assemblies. The laboratory specimens used in these experiments are placed in experimental facilities, loading histories are applied, and data are generated. For structures subjected to simulated earthquake loadings, pseudo-dynamic test methods can be used to overcome the size limitations of shaking table tests. To avoid fabrication and testing of an entire structure, hybrid pseudo-dynamic tests can be used to combine physical substructures and analytical substructures in a single experiment. The information related to these largescale structural experiments is often complicated and stored in various documents, drawings, photos, and other computer-based files. A data model is needed to efficiently access, share, and use this information. This report describes a data model for large-scale structural experiments, developed at the Real-Time Multi-Directional (RTMD) testing facility at the ATLSS Center at Lehigh University.
The data model is called the Lehigh Model. The development of the Lehigh Model is based on the thorough review of the previous data models and a study of recent large-scale structural experiments conducted at the ATLSS Center. The Lehigh Model has class hierarchies consisting of the project, experimental task, test condition, and test classes to organize and represent information about structural experiments. These classes are illustrated using steel moment connection tests as an example.