Earthquake shaking table

There are several different experimental techniques that can be used to test the response of structures to verify their seismic performance, one of which is the use of an earthquake shaking table (a shaking table, or simply shake table). This is a device for shaking structural models or building components with a wide range of simulated ground motions, including reproductions of recorded earthquakes time-histories. While modern tables typically consist of a rectangular platform that is driven in up to six degrees of freedom (DOF) by servo-hydraulic or other types of actuators, the earliest shake table, invented at the University of Tokyo in 1893 to categorize types of building construction, ran on a simple wheel mechanism.[1] Test specimens are fixed to the platform and shaken, often to the point of failure. Using video records and data from transducers, it is possible to interpret the dynamic behaviour of the specimen. Earthquake shaking tables are used extensively in seismic research, as they provide the means to excite structures in such a way that they are subjected to conditions representative of true earthquake ground motions.

A World List of Shaking Tables

This is an incomplete list that may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries.

Below is an attempt to create a definitive list of shaking tables around the world that are used for seismic testing. The list is almost certainly not complete and not all the data has been verified by the shaking table owners. If you operate a shaking table please help by correcting and updating and adding to this list.

This list was originally based on information from the following documents: Experimental Facilities for Earthquake Engineering Simulation Worldwide, Directory of International Earthquake Engineering Research Facilities and papers by Chowdhury,[2] Duarte,[3] Kamimura and Nakashima [4] and EERI.[5]

Shaking Tables around the world
RegionCountryLocationSize (m)Payload (metric tonnes)Degrees of FreedomX Horiz Disp (mm)Y Horiz Disp (mm)Z Vert Disp (mm)X Horiz Vel (mm/s)Y Horiz vel (mm/s)Z Vert vel (mm/s)X Horiz accel (m/s2)Y Horiz accel (m/s2)Z Vert accel (m/s2)Max Freq (Hz)Details checked
AfricaAlgeriaCGS Laboratory (in construction) [6]6.1 x 6.1606±150±250±100±1100±1100±1000±10±10±810030/6/2010
AfricaSouth AfricaUniversity of Witwatersrand[7]4 x 4101±750n/an/a±1000n/an/a±10n/an/a4017/7/2009
AsiaChinaChina Academy of Building Research, Beijing [8][9]6.1 x 6.1606±150±250±100±1000±1200±800±15±10±850?
AsiaChinaGuangzhou University [10]3 x 3206±100±100±50±1000±1000±1000±26±26±505010/7/2008
AsiaChinaNanjing University of Technology [9]3 x 5153±120±120±120±500±500±500±10±10±1050?
AsiaChinaTongji University, Shanghai [9]4 x 4256±100±50±50±1000±600±600±40±20±4050?
AsiaChinaXi'a University of Architecture & Technology2 x 2?????????????
AsiaSingaporeNanyang Technological University3 x 3101±120n/an/a±650n/an/a±20n/an/a5023/7/2008
AsiaHong KongCity University of Hong Kong??????????????
AsiaHong KongHong Kong Polytechnic University [11]3 x 310???????10????
AsiaIndiaJamia Millia Islamia,New Delhi [12]5 x 5201±500n/an/a???±20n/an/a100?
AsiaIndiaIIT Guwahati [13]2.5 x 2.551±500n/an/a???±20n/an/a100?
AsiaIndiaCPRI Bangalore,[14]Karnataka3 x 3106???????????
AsiaIndiaIISc, Bangalore [15]1 x 10.56±220±220±100±570±570±570±30±30±205023/7/2008
AsiaIndiaSERC, Chennai (1 of 3),[14] Tamil Nadu4 x 4303???????????
AsiaIndiaSERC, Chennai (2 of 3),[14]Tamil Nadu2 x 253???????????
AsiaIndiaSERC, Chennai (3 of 3),[16]Tamil Nadu3 x 3106???????????
AsiaIndiaIndira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research(IGCAR), Chennai,Tamil Nadu3 x 3106±100±100±100300300?±14.715±14.7159.81100?
AsiaIndiaIIT Roorkee,[14][17]Uttarakhand3.5 x 3.5202?n/a??n/a??n/a???
AsiaIndiaIIT Kanpur,[18]Uttar Pradesh1.2 x 1.841±75n/an/a±1500n/an/a±50n/an/a5025/6/2009
AsiaIndiaBengal Engineering and Science University, Shibpur,[19]West Bengal1.5 x 1.5?1?n/an/a?n/an/a?n/an/a?19/11/2009
AsiaIranInternational Institute of Earthquake Engineering ans Seismology(IIEES)1.4 x 1.221±35n/an/a?n/an/a±40n/an/a??
AsiaIranIran University of Science & Technology (IUST)2 x 0.551±60n/an/a?n/an/a±6.5n/an/a??
AsiaIranSharif University of Technology (SUT))4 x 4303±125±200?±500±800?±50±40?507/19/2011
AsiaJapanAichi Institute of Technology11 x 61361±150??±1000??±10??50?
AsiaJapanBuilding Research Institute3 x 4203???????????
AsiaJapanCentral Research Institute of Electric Power Industry [20]5 x 5601±500n/an/a±1500n/an/a±10n/an/a3012/3/2008
AsiaJapanNIED ‘E-Defence’ Laboratory, Miki City [21]20 x 1512006±1000±1000±500±2000±2000±700±9±9±15503/3/2008
AsiaJapanFujita Corporation4 x 4251±500n/an/a±1500n/an/a±10n/an/a50?
AsiaJapanHazama Corp Ltd.6 x 4803±300±150±100±1150??±20±3±250?
AsiaJapanHitachi Engineering Corp4 x 4201±150??±750??±20??30?
AsiaJapanIshikawajima Harima Heavy Ind Corp.4.5 x 4.5356±100±100±67±750±750±500±15±15±1050?
AsiaJapanJDC Corp.?206±300??±1000??±10??50?
AsiaJapanKawasaki Heavy Industries Corp.?303±75??±400??±10??50?
AsiaJapanKajima Corp. Ltd. (1 of 2) [22]5 x 5506±200±200±100±1000±1000±500±20±20±20603/3/2008
AsiaJapanKajima Corp. Ltd. (2 of 2)4 x 4202±150n/a±75±1140n/a±4450±20n/a±1050?
AsiaJapanKumagai-Gumi Corp Ltd5 x 5646±80±260±50±600±1500±500±30±10±1070?
AsiaJapanKyoto University5 x 3146±300??±1500??±10??50?
AsiaJapanKyoto University Disaster Prevention Research Centre [23]3.5 diameter?6???????????
AsiaJapanMinistry of Construction6 x 81002±75n/a?±600n/a?±7n/a?30?
AsiaJapanMitsubishi Electric Corp.?402±100??±700??±25??30?
AsiaJapanMitsubishi Heavy Industries Corp.?1003±50??±1500??±20??50?
AsiaJapanNational Research Institute of Agriculture Engineering6 x 4453±150??±750??±10??40?
AsiaJapanNIED (Nat. Inst. for Disaster Prevention) (1 of 2)6 x 611003±1000??±2000??±10??15?
AsiaJapanNIED (Nat. Inst. for Disaster Prevention) (2 of 2)12 x 125001±220??±900??±10??50?
AsiaJapanNishimatsu Construction Corp5.5 x 5.5656±500??±1500??±20??50?
AsiaJapanNuclear Power Engineering Corporation15 x 159082±200n/a±100±750n/a±375±18n/a±930?
AsiaJapanNYK Corporation2.6 x 2.6206±200??±600??±20??80?
AsiaJapanObayashi-Gumi Corporation5 x 5463±600??±2000??±30??50?
AsiaJapanOkumura Corp.?606±125??±1000??±30??70?
AsiaJapanPenta-Ocean Construction Co. Ltd. (1 of 2)?606±300??±1000??±5??70?
AsiaJapanPenta-Ocean Construction Co. Ltd. (2 of 2)?606±200??±750??±10??70?
AsiaJapanPort and Airport Research Institute3.4 x 3.4552±200n/a±100±750±500n/a±8±15n/a50?
AsiaJapanPublic Works Research Institute (PWRI) [24]8 x 83006±600±600±300±2000±2000±1000±20±20±105010/5/2008
AsiaJapanSanryo Heavy Industries Corporation6 x 690.73???????????
AsiaJapanShimizu Corporation4 x 4203±200??±1000??±10??50?
AsiaJapanTaisei Corp Ltd4 x 4202±200??±450??±10??50?
AsiaJapanTobishima Corp Ltd4 x 4202±75?????±15??30?
AsiaJapanTobishima Corp Ltd?206±200??±800??±10??30?
AsiaJapanTokyu Const. Corp.4 x 4306±500±200±100±1500±1000?±10??30?
AsiaJapanToshiba Electric Co.5 x 5202±750n/a±380±400n/a±250±10n/a±730?
AsiaKoreaHyundai Institute of Construction Technology Development (1 of 2) [25]2 x 252±75±75n/a±500±500n/a±10±10n/a?5/2/2009
AsiaKoreaHyundai Institute of Construction Technology Development (2 of 2) 5 x 3301±100n/an/a±500n/an/a±10n/an/a?5/2/2009
AsiaKoreaKorea Institute of Machinery and Metals4 x 4306±200±200±134±750±750±500±15±15±1050?
AsiaKoreaPusan National University (1 of 3) [26]5 x 53002±300±200n/a±1000±1000n/a±20±20n/a6024/7/2008
AsiaKoreaPusan National University (2 of 3) [26]5 x 56002±300±200n/a±1000±1000n/a±30±30n/a6024/7/2008
AsiaKoreaPusan National University (3 of 3) [26]4 x 43006±300±200±150±1500±1500±1000±20±20±406024/7/2008
AsiaMalaysiaSabah University1.5 x 1.5?????????????
AsiaTaiwanNational Center for Research in Earthquake Engineering [27]5 x 5506±250±100±100±1000±600±500±10±30±105012/3/2008
AustraliaAustraliaUniversity of Melbourne2 x 23????????????
AustraliaAustraliaUniversity of Technology, Sydney3 x 3101?????????5015/12/2009
CanadaCanadaRoyal Military College2.7 x 2.751???????????
CanadaCanadaUniversity of British Columbia (EERF Lab)4 x 4306???????????
CanadaCanadaUniversity of Sherbrooke ? x ??????????????
EuropeFranceCommissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA), AZALEE (1 of 3) [28]6 x 61006±125±125±100±700±700±700±10±10±255027/01/2011
EuropeFranceCommissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA), VESUVE (2 of 3) [28] 4 x 3201±125n/an/a±1000n/an/a±10n/an/a5027/01/2011
EuropeFranceCommissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA), TOURNESOL (3 of 3) [28] 2 x 2103±125n/a±100±2000n/a±1300±10n/a105027/01/2011
EuropeFranceFCBA Institut technologique [29]6 x 6101±125n/an/a±800n/an/a±20n/an/a5002/2011
EuropeGreeceAristotle University of Thessaloniki1.2 x 1.2152±50n/a±50?n/a??n/a?30?
EuropeGreeceNational Technical University of Athens [30]4 x 4106±100±100±100±1000±1000±1000±20±20±4010012/3/2008
EuropeItalyAnsaldo Meccanica Nucleare3.5 x 3.563±70??±860?????60?
EuropeItalyDepartment of Structures for Engineering and Architecture, University of Naples [31] - Shake Table4 x 4202±250±250n/a±1000±1000n/a1010n/a50-
EuropeItalyENEA4 x 4106±125±125±125±500±500±500±30±30±3050?
EuropeItalyEnel. Hydro S.p.A.; business unit ISMES (1 of 3)4 x 4606±100±100±100±550±550±440±30±30±20120?
EuropeItalyEuropean Centre for Training & Research in Earthquake Engineering (EUCENTRE) [32] - Shake Table5.6 x 71401±500--±2200--59--50-
EuropeItalyEuropean Centre for Training & Research in Earthquake Engineering (EUCENTRE) [32] - Bearing Testing System1.6 x 4.45000 (vertical load)5±500±265140±2200±600±25018--20-
EuropeItalyEuropean Centre for Training & Research in Earthquake Engineering (EUCENTRE) [32] - Damper Testing System1.5 x 2501±250--±1180--10--20-
EuropeMacedoniaInstitute of Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Seismology (IZIIS), University of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Skopje (1 of 2) [33]5 x 5405n/a±125±60n/a±1000±500n/a±30±158020/9/2011
EuropeMacedoniaInstitute of Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Seismology (IZIIS), University of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Skopje (2 of 2) [33]1.4 x 2.581±100n/an/a?n/an/a±20n/an/a807/7/2008
EuropeThe NetherlandsEuropean Space Agency (ESA) ESTEC Test Centre [34]5.5 x 5.522.56±70±70±70±800±800±800±50±50±502-10023/7/2008
EuropePortugalLaboratorio Nacional de Engenharia Civil (LNEC)5.6 x 5.6403±175±175±175±200±200±200±18±11±620?
EuropeRussiaHydroproject Research Institute5 x 5503±70±70±40±600??±20±20?40?
EuropeSpainCEDEX [35]??????????????
EuropeTurkeyBogazici University (1 of 2) [36]3 x 3101±120n/an/a±650n/an/a±20n/an/a503/3/2008
EuropeTurkeyBogazici University (2 of 2) [36]0.7 x 0.70.13±120±120±120±1200±1200±1200±100±100±100403/3/2008
EuropeTurkeyMiddle East Technical University [37]2 x 1?????????????
EuropeUKUniversity of Bristol (EERC) [38]3 x 3176±150±150±150±1100±1100±1100±60±60±6010029/2/2008
AsiaPakistanEarthquake Engineering Center, University of Engineering & Technology Peshawar [39]6.0 x 6.0606±300±300±300±1100±1100±1100±14.7±14.7±14.750
North AmericaMexicoUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)[40]4 x 4205±150±150±75±1100±1100±450±10±10±106010/9/2008
USAColoradoANCO Engineers, Inc Boulder, Colorado [41]3 x 3103±200±200±200±2000±2000±2000±30±30±304016/10/2012
USAAlabamaNASA3 x 4.516±2440??±100???????
USAAlabamaWyle Laboratories (1 of 3) [42]6.1 x 5.5272±152??±890??±60??10016/10/2012
USAAlabamaWyle Laboratories (2 of 3) [42]2.7 x 2.74.53±250±250±250±1120±1120±1120±45±45±4510016/10/2012
USAAlabamaWyle Laboratories (3 of 3) [42]2.4 x 2.44.52±305n/a±228±1168n/a±838±70n/a±807016/10/2012
USANorth CarolinaDuke University [43]1.2 x 1.251±75n/an/a±500n/an/a±50n/an/a6015/4/2008
USACalifornia University of California at Berkeley [44]6.1 x 6.1456±127±127±51±762±762±254±15±15±202030/4/2008
USACalifornia California State University, Fresno [45]2.4 x 2.0?1±125n/an/a?n/an/a?n/an/a?19/11/2009
USACalifornia University of California at San Diego [46]12.2 x 7.620001±750n/an/a±1800n/an/a±10n/an/a207/7/2008
USAConnecticutUniversity of Connecticut [47]1.5 x 1.511±150n/an/a?n/an/a±20n/an/a508/5/2008
USAIllinois University of Illinois at Urbana / Champaign3.7 x 3.751±50??±381??±30??50?
USANew YorkUniversity at Buffalo (State University of New York) (2 identical tables of 3) [48]3.6 x 3.6506±150±150±75±1250±1250±500±12±12±1210012/3/2008
USANew YorkUniversity at Buffalo (State University of New York) (3 of 3) [48]3.7 x 3.7505±150n/a±75±762n/a±500±12n/a±235012/3/2008
USANew YorkRensselaer Polytechnic Institute[49]1.7 x 2.651±130n/an/a±270n/an/a±20n/an/a508/5/2008
USANevadaUniversity of Nevada at Reno (3 identical biaxial tables) [50]4.3 x 4.5452±300±300n/a±1270±1270n/a±20±20n/a508/2/2010
USANevadaUniversity of Nevada at Reno (6 axis table) [51]2.75 x 2.75506±75±300±100???±20±40±105013/3/2008
USANevadaDynamic Certification Laboratories [52]2.0 diameter4.56±140±120±150±1000±1000±1200±98±98±10810017/7/2012
USATexasRice University [53]0.465m² 71±75n/an/a±1400n/an/a±20n/an/a508/5/2008
USAUSACivil Engineering Research Lab U.S. Army3.6 x 3.6453±300??±1300?????250?
USAVirginiaThe George Washington University - Virginia Campus [54]3 x 3?6???????????

Notes: This list is restricted to shaking tables bigger than 2m by 2m or with a capacity of more than 4 tonnes (i.e. tables suitable for seismic testing).

References

  1. ↑ Reitherman, Robert (2012). Earthquakes and Engineers: An International History. Reston, VA: ASCE Press. pp. 126–127. ISBN 9780784410714.
  2. ↑ Chowdhury AH (1983). Shaking table testing facilities around the world. Proceedings of the 4th Engineering Mechanics Division Specialty Conference: Recent Advances in Engineering Mechanics and their Impact on Civil Engineering Practice., West Lafayette, Indiana, USA. Vol. 1, pp. 617-620.
  3. ↑ Duarte RT (1994). Report of the EAEE Working Group 11: Development of shaking table testing techniques. Proceedings of the 10th European Conference on Earthquake Engineering, Vienna, Austria. Vol. 4, pp. 3135-3144.
  4. ↑ Kamimura K, Nakashima M (1983). Seismic test facilities for building structures in Japan. Proceedings of the 4th Engineering Mechanics Division Specialty Conference: Recent Advances in Engineering Mechanics and their Impact on Civil Engineering Practice., West Lafayette, Indiana, USA. Vol. 1, pp. 638-641.
  5. ↑ EERI (1995). Assessment of earthquake engineering research and testing capabilities in the United States. Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, Committee on Experimental Research, Oakland, CA. Publication No. WP-01, pp. 1-23.
  6. ↑ Presentation on Current activities in Algeria Retrieved 30/6/2010
  7. ↑ Press release about Hydraform Donating Earthquake Shake Table to Wits University Retrieved 22/10/2009
  8. ↑ China Academy of Building Research - Major Laboratories Retrieved 10/7/2008
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Shaking table blog Retrieved 10/7/2008
  10. ↑ Earthquake Engineering Research Test Center Retrieved 10/7/2008
  11. ↑ Centre for urban hazards mitigation Retrieved 24/7/2008
  12. ↑
  13. ↑ IIT Guwahati, Department of Civil Engineering,Assam
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Earthquake Resistant design practice and research in India, The Structural Engineer, 18 March 2008
  15. ↑ Development of a digitally-controlled three-axis earthquake shake table,Karnataka Retrieved on 10/7/2008
  16. ↑ SERC Chennai Advanced Seismic Testing and Research Laboratory Retrieved on 22/10/09
  17. ↑ IIT Roorkee, Department of Earthquake Engineering
  18. ↑ IIT Kanpur, Department of Civil Engineering
  19. ↑ School of Disaster Mitigation Engineering (SDME)
  20. ↑ CRIEPI Hybrid Seismic Testing System Shaking table Retrieved 12/3/2008
  21. ↑ The NIED ‘E-Defence’ Laboratory in Miki City Retrieved on 3/3/2008
  22. ↑ Kajima’s English Website Retrieved on 3/3/2008
  23. ↑ MTS website Retrieved on 3/3/2008
  24. ↑ Public Works Research Institute large 3D shaking table Retrieved on 10/5/2008
  25. ↑ See p 14 of document - Hyundai Institute of Construction Technology Development Retrieved on 10/1/2009
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 KOCED Multi platform seismic simulation facility Retrieved on 1/12/2010
  27. ↑ NCREE's English Website Retrieved on 29/2/2008
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 Seismic Mechanic Studies Laboratory Retrieved 27/11/2011
  29. ↑ See p 1 of document - FCBA Retrieved on 11/2011
  30. ↑ NTUA Laboratory for Earthquake Engineering Retrieved on 12/3/2008
  31. ↑ Retrieved 29/11/2013
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 32.2 EUCENTRE TREES Lab Retrieved 06/09/2008
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Seismology, IZIIS Retrieved on 20/09/2011
  34. ↑ HYDRA multi-axis vibration test facility Retrieved 23/7/2008
  35. ↑ CEDEX Structures laboratory Retrieved on 23/11/2009
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 Bogazici University Shaking Table Laboratory Retrieved on 3/3/2008
  37. ↑ Middle East Technical University Retrieved 23/7/2008
  38. ↑ Bristol University Earthquake Engineering Research Centre Retrieved on 29/2/2008
  39. ↑ NWFP UET Earthquake Research and Education Centre
  40. ↑ Instituto de Ingeniería, UNAM, Mesa Vibradora Laboratorios
  41. ↑ ANCO Engineers shaking tables Retrieved on 15/10/2012
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 42.2 Wyle Laboratories shaking tables Retrieved on 16/10/2012
  43. ↑ Duke University Structural Dynamics and the Seismic Response Control Laboratory Retrieved on 15/4/2008
  44. ↑ University of California, Berkeley, Earthquake Simulator Laboratory Retrieved on 30/4/2008
  45. ↑ Department of Civil Engineering Retrieved 19/11/2009
  46. ↑ UCSD Large High Performance Outdoor Shake Table Retrieved 12/3/2008
  47. ↑ University of Connecticut Advanced Hazards Mitigation Lab Retrieved 8/5/2008
  48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 University at Buffalo’s Structural Engineering and Earthquake Simulation Laboratory (SEESL) Retrieved on 13/3/2008
  49. ↑ Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Structural Engineering Laboratories Retrieved 8/5/2008
  50. ↑ NEES Equipment Site at the University of Nevada, Reno Retrieved 12/3/2008
  51. ↑ NEES Equipment Site at the University of Nevada, Reno Retrieved 8/2/2010
  52. ↑ Dynamic Certification Laboratories Retrieved 17/7/2012
  53. ↑ Rice University, Dynamic Systems Laboratory Retrieved 8/5/2008
  54. ↑ Retrieved 8/13/2013