Experimental characterization, modeling and identification of the NEES-UCSD shake table mechanical system

This paper proposes a simple conceptual mathematical model for the mechanical components of the NEES-UCSD large high-performance outdoor shaking table and focuses on the identification of the parameters of the model by using an extensive set of experimental data. An identification approach based on the measured hysteresis response is used to determine the fundamental model parameters including the effective horizontal mass, effective horizontal stiffness of the table, and the coefficients of the classical Coulomb friction and viscous damping elements representing the various dissipative forces in the system. The effectiveness of the proposed conceptual model is verified through a comparison of analytical predictions with experimental results for various tests conducted on the system. The resulting mathematical model will be used in future studies to model the mechanical components of the shake table in a comprehensive physics-based model of the entire mechanical, hydraulic, and electronic system.