Modeling, control and experimental validation of a device for seismic events simulation

Single and multi-axis shaking tables are an efficient way for the testing of a large number of systems. Among the possible fields of application, the civil engineering field stands out for the testing of structures, or part of them, both on a reduced and on a full scale. This work belongs to this field and concerns the design of a small size (1200 mm x 2000 mm) hydraulicactuated single-axis shaking table, for the simulation of seismic loads on civil structural elements that weight less than 1200 kg. According to a typical mechatronic approach, the choice of the hydraulic components, the design of the mechanical system and the design of the control system were synergically carried out. Eventually, the system was built and preliminary experimental tests were performed for the evaluation of its functionality.