Publication detail

Development of a new servo-hydraulic earthquake actuator for the 400 g-ton centrifuge at the university of colorado Boulder

J. Westcott, S. S. C. Madabhushi, S Dashti, L. Brito, B. Wham, C. Ihnotic, D. Weller, J. Hrubý

Original Title

Development of a new servo-hydraulic earthquake actuator for the 400 g-ton centrifuge at the university of colorado Boulder

Type

article in a collection out of WoS and Scopus

Language

English

Original Abstract

Dynamic centrifuge modelling enables cost effective studies of the complex seismic response of soil and soil-structure systems. However, centrifuge scaling laws necessitate an increase between the full scale and applied model accelerations, and shaking frequencies, by the model scale factor. This can translate to challenging mechanical, hydraulic, and control demands on the shake table system. In this paper, we detail the development of a new 1-DOF horizontal servo-hydraulic earthquake actuator on the 400 g-ton centrifuge at the University of Colorado Boulder. The mechanical and servo-hydraulic systems are discussed, highlighting both general design aspects and considerations specific to the Boulder centrifuge with the goal of maximizing payload, acceleration, and frequency range capabilities under increased gravity. The two-level control system is described; displacement, velocity and oil pressure feedback are used for closed loop control of the table position whilst acceleration feedback is used to iteratively calibrate the achieved accelerations. Preliminary centrifuge results illustrate the benefit of optimizing the drive signal and are also used to investigate the two parasitic acceleration components that are normal to the intended shaking direction. The results will inform the on-going commissioning of the shake table, and particularly modifications to reduce unintended accelerations in the vertical direction of a centrifuge test.

Keywords

Centrifuge modelling. Equipment development, Servo-hydraulic shaker, Earthquake Actuators, Dynamic modelling

Authors

J. Westcott, S. S. C. Madabhushi, S Dashti, L. Brito, B. Wham, C. Ihnotic, D. Weller, J. Hrubý

Released

23. 9. 2022

Publisher

KOREAN GEOTECHNICAL SOCIETY (KGS), Seoul, Korea

Location

Seoul, Korea

ISBN

978-89-952197-7-5

Book

ICPMG 2022 Physical Modelling in Geotechnics

Edition

1

Edition number

1

Pages from

166

Pages to

169

Pages count

4

URL

https://sigongji.icpmg2022.org/wp/Home.asp

BibTex

@inproceedings{BUT179533,
  author="Jaroslav {Hrubý}",
  title="Development of a new servo-hydraulic earthquake actuator for the 400 g-ton centrifuge at the
university of colorado Boulder",
  booktitle="ICPMG 2022 Physical Modelling in Geotechnics",
  year="2022",
  series="1",
  number="1",
  pages="166--169",
  publisher="KOREAN GEOTECHNICAL SOCIETY (KGS), Seoul, Korea",
  address="Seoul, Korea",
  isbn="978-89-952197-7-5",
  url="https://sigongji.icpmg2022.org/wp/Home.asp"
}