Multi-Axial Shake Table (MAST) and Data Acquisition/Control System

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During an earthquake event, structural elements are subjected to multi-axial loads due to the multiple components of ground motions and seismic response of a structural system. Furthermore, the dynamic interaction of soil, foundation, and structure system develops additional rotational and translational components in foundation input motion. To fully understand how the multi-axial loads affect the seismic response of structural elements, it is essential to use equipment which can apply the multi-axial loads to a structural specimen. The equipment that will be acquired through the NSERC RTI Program consists of a Multi-Axial Shake Table (MAST) and data acquisition/control system. The requested MAST system can simulate earthquake motions in four Degree of Freedoms (DOFs), and will be expandable to a full six DOFs system in the future. The data acquisition/control system will be an interface between the MAST and an analytical model. With the requested equipment a critical component of a structure can be represented by a physical specimen while the rest of the structure can be numerically modeled. The two components can be fully integrated using hybrid simulation methods. The requested equipment will be used to support the NSERC Discovery Grant entitled 'Investigation on the effects of liquefaction and soil-structure-interaction (SSI) on the seismic response of structures. Within the research program, the requested equipment will be used to develop hybrid simulation methods for SSI systems. In addition, the equipment will be used to support other research projects including: 1) the effects of vertical and horizontal ground motions on the response of isolation bearings; 2) investigation of the effects of multi-axial loading on the collapse mechanism of a structural system; and 3) investigation of the transition from equivalent viscous damping to hysteretic damping through a series of small scale dynamic experiments. The research carried out with the equipment will have a direct impact on the society by providing advanced methods for the seismic simulation of structures and by increasing our current understanding of the seismic response of structures subjected to multi-axial loads.