Modelling a Large-Scale Uniaxial Shaking Table Facility

Abstract eng:
Aim of this research is the development and the calibration of a mathematical model for simulating the response of a large-scale uniaxial shaking table facility. The system to be modelled is composed of several interacting components such as the shaking table, the specimen to be tested and the reaction mass. The latter could be isolated by air suspension springs and damped by heavy duly automotive shock absorbers or could rest directly on the supporting soil. The proposed model has been developed to take into account the stiffness and the damping due to suspension system/shock absorber system as well as the flexibility of the supporting soil. The main novelty of the proposed model is the nonlinear kinematics taken into account in the formulation of the equations of motion of the dynamic system. The rocking of the reaction mass is modelled and the nonlinear kinematics due to large rotations associated to an intended uniaxial motion of the shaking table is considered. The nonlinear equations of motions are derived using the Lagrangian approach under the assumption of large displacements and large rotations. The proposed mathematical model has been derived to be general and capable of predicting the response of any given uniaxial shaking table whose response could be strongly affected by the rocking of the reaction mass. The derived system of nonlinear equations of motion has been applied for modelling the response of an existing large-scale dynamic testing facility – the shaking table of the Eucentre Laboratory. The obtained results seem very promising, useful for understanding the causes of the complex behaviour of the dynamic testing facility and instrumental for helping in future experimental campaigns.

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