Control systems for shake tables: A critical review

Abstract

Shake tables are crucial tools for studying the performance of structures

under seismic actions. These devices have become an essential tool for

earthquake-resistant engineering and have demonstrated to be effective

for studying complex structural dynamic models. One of the most important

aspects to consider during implementation of a shake table is the

system control needed to reproduce accurately the seismic movements.

From an extensive revision of available literature, this article examines

and discusses some of the controls more used in different types of shake

tables around the world. Based on the analysis of scopes, advantages and

drawbacks of control systems studied, it is also indicated the controls

having great feasibility to be implemented in shake tables of single and

multiple degrees of freedom.