Shaking tables and seismic testing of structures and equipments

This paper discusses the advantages, possibilities and limitations of shaking table seismic testing of structures and equipments. The purpose of testing, either for assessing the reliability or increase the understanding about the seismic behaviour of a structure or component is briefly dealt with in order to perspectivate the subsequent discussion. The aims of shaking table design are presented and how they can be attained is illustrated by a case history of the design of a three-degrees-of-freedom shaking table which have given rise to a novel conception. The control of the actuators that move the table is a central problem; the merits of analogical or digital control systems and real time or adaptive control algorithms are discussed. Data acquisition, data processing and interpretation of the testing results are commented upon in the final part of the paper. (orig.)