Seismic Simulators (Shake Tables)

The MTS seismic simulator portfolio features a host of standard, pre-engineered and custom tables for evaluating everything from nonstructural infrastructure to structural components and substructures to model-scale and full-scale civil structures. Precise seismic loading in up to six degrees-of-freedom can be applied to a broad array of test articles to evaluate their behavior under real-world earthquake conditions.

Applications

Test Specimens

Test Standards

Key Product Features

First-of-a-Kind

MTS has designed, installed and partnered with our customers on many of the world’s largest shake tables, including NIED, University of California - San Diego and Southwest Jiaotong University

Industry Standard

MTS has the largest world-wide installed base of seismic simulators. We have five decades of collaboration with the world’s premier civil engineering research institutions

Unmatched Expertise

PhD-level MTS System Integration Engineers provide expert guidance and training

Innovative Technology

Degree-of-Freedom Control, Real-time Control, Three-variable Control, Adaptive Control and Specimen Dynamics Compensation (SDC)

Model Comparison

Standard Uni-Axial

  • Max Payload: 2,000 kg
  • Sim Freq: 50 Hz
  • Accel: 1.1g (X)
  • Test Area: 1.5m x 1.5m
  • Actuation: 1 x Servohydraulic

Standard Bi-Axial

  • Max Payload: 10,000 kg
  • Sim Freq: 50 Hz
  • Accel: 1g (X, Y)
  • Test Area: 3 m x 3 m
  • Actuation: 1-2 x Servohydraulic

Standard eMAST 6DOF

  • Max Payload:  1,500 kg
  • Sim Freq: 25 Hz
  • Accel: 1g (X, Y, Z)
  • Test Area: 1.5m x 1.5m
  • Actuation: 6 x Electromechanical (Hexapod)

Standard MAST 6DOF

  • Max Payload: 2,000 kg
  • Sim Freq: 100 Hz
  • Accel: 4.8g, 4.2g, 6.0g (X, Y, Z)
  • Test Area: 2m x 2m
  • Actuation: 6 x Servohydraulic (Hexapod)

Pre-Engineered 6DOF

  • Max Payload: 20,000 kg /
    30,000 kg
  • Sim Freq: 50 Hz
  • Accel: 1.5g, 1.5g, 1g (X, Y, Z)
  • Test Area: 4m x 4m / 5m x 5m
  • Actuation: 8 x Servohydraulic

Custom 3-6DOF

  • Max Payload: Customer-defined (10,000 - 2,000,000 kg)
  • Sim Freq: Customer-defined
  • Accel: Customer-defined
  • Test Area: Customer-defined
  • Actuation: Customer-defined Servohydraulic
  • Configurations: Synchronized Multi-table, Table + Actuator(s), Table-on-Table, Submersible Table

Featured Case Studies

UC San Diego - LHPOST
University Nevada - Reno: Getting Around the Bend

Technical Overview

Seismic Simulator

 

  1. Control Room 
  2. User Interface (STEX Pro Software)
  3. Steel Table
  4. Seismic Actuators 
  5. Hardline Piping
  6. Hydraulic Power Units (HPUs)
  7. Accumulator Bank
  8. Seismic Reaction Mass
  9. Actuator Fixturing

Related Products, Parts or Accessories

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Resources

 
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Seminar Series

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Innovation Note

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Lab Profile

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Case Study

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