Motion Parameters of a Mechanical Shaking Table and an Application

In this study, 1.5x1.0 m dimensioned shaking table which was designed and built by Geological Engineering Department of Pamukkale University Engineering Faculty is introduced and produced motion parameters are discussed. In order to determine the different engineering purposed model behaviors under earthquake induced dynamic loads, shaking tables are used in laboratory conditions. High power capacity and fast hydraulic systems are needed for large shaking table facilities and this makes them very expensive. However small scaled economical shaking tables are getting used in different purposes such as model tests and educational demonstrations. Velocity, acceleration, frequency and period values of this electric motor driven unidirectional shaking table which was introduced in this study were calculated. Finally as an example application, a block which is consisted of natural material and has a planar sliding surface, attached on shaking table and displacement of the block with increasing base acceleration was monitored. Critical acceleration for the sliding block was experimentally determined. Tests were repeated in three different slope angles. Displacements were also calculated and measured and calculated block displacement values were compared.