Control systems for shake tables: A critical review

Abstract

Shake tables are crucial tools for studying the performance of structuresunder seismic actions. These devices have become an essential tool forearthquake-resistant engineering and have demonstrated to be effectivefor studying complex structural dynamic models. One of the most importantaspects to consider during implementation of a shake table is thesystem control needed to reproduce accurately the seismic movements.From an extensive revision of available literature, this article examinesand discusses some of the controls more used in different types of shaketables around the world. Based on the analysis of scopes, advantages anddrawbacks of control systems studied, it is also indicated the controlshaving great feasibility to be implemented in shake tables of single andmultiple degrees of freedom.