Design and development of a small shake table for field demonstration

• Main Author: Ng, Tiong Wee.
• Other Authors: Leong Kah Fai
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Mechanical engineering::Mechanics and dynamics
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/16222
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This project involves the re-design and fabrication of a small shake table. The new design of the small shake table is an improvement from Gerald’s small shake table [1]. Analysis on the areas where improvements can be made on the shake table has been carried out. Three different conceptual designs, with the translation mechanism as the main emphasis of change were created and reviewed. Conceptual evaluation table has been used to evaluate for the best design. After selecting the best design and with reference from the design parameters (Chapter 4.2), two areas of design and development have been targeted. The first area of focus is the way each linkage components are designed and assembled. The second area of focus is the use of calculations on the components to meet the design criterions. Engineering drawings for the different components are produced and used for fabrication. The new components are then assembled and weighted. The weight of the new shake table, as compared to the previous shake table is reduced by 50%. Two different experiments were next carried out to test if the small shake table satisfies the requirements set forth as stated in the objective. Two separate conclusions could be drawn. From the results of the first experiment, an improved operating frequency was set by the new shake table. Positive test results showed that the new shake table could now operate at a frequency range of 3 to 15 cycles per second. This showed an overall increase of 40 % without load as compared the previous shake table. From the results of the second experiment, a damping material was selected to control the translation vibration caused by the platform. This effectively reduced the vibration impact to a minimum. With these two enhancements, the shake table can now operate at a higher frequency at a lower power usage and yet stabilize itself with the least amount of vibration during operation.