College - Author 1
College of Architecture and Environmental Design
Department - Author 1
Architectural Engineering Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Architectural Engineering
Date
6-2026
Primary Advisor
Peter Laursen, College of Architecture and Environmental Design, Architectural Engineering Department
Abstract/Summary
The College of Architecture and Environmental Design’s (CAED) seismic laboratory shake table is used for earthquake engineering education and experimental testing. However, the existing control system is outdated and difficult for students unfamiliar with the system to operate. The objective of this project was to develop a MATLAB-based control and data acquisition application to simplify shake table operation and improve accessibility, of both operation and output, for student users.
The developed application imports earthquake acceleration records, scales the input motions to the operational limits of the shake table, and executes the desires motion through the existing hardware system. Experimental data including acceleration, displacement, and voltage measurements are collected and processed within the application. The system generates timehistory plots and response spectra for the visualization and interpretation of experimental results.
The completed application provides an integrated and user-friendly platform for seismic testing and data analysis, improving the accessibility and educational utility of the shake table for future students. An accompanying instruction guide was also developed to assist users with application operation, experimental setup, and data interpretation.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/arcesp/248
Shake Table Operating Procedure