Proposal

Narrative

Smart Controller for APS Dynamics Vibration Shaker Dr. Jinwoo Jang, Assistant Professor and I-SENSE Fellow Dr. Khaled Sobhan, Professor Existing Equipment Dr. Jang's lab has APS Dynamics's Vibration Shaker (APS 400) and Power Amplifier (APS 145) with a function generator (Tektronix AFG3021C). The vibration shaker generates a long-stroke, electrodynamic force specifically designed to study various structures' dynamic response characteristics (Figure 1). Proposed Tech Fee Grant The current experiment setup lacks a controller unit to generate user-specified force signals, which is crucial in seismic simulations and geologic studies. The requested controller unit will enable the creation of seismic forces, ambient vibration signals, and blast forces, which will significantly expand the use of the current vibration shaker. The new controller, from APS Dynamics Model VCS 401 will cost $20,000 (Figure 2). Significance in Undergraduate/Graduate Education and Research In addition to opening exciting opportunities for research into the risk/vulnerability of infrastructure elements under extreme conditions and multi-hazard scenarios (hurricanes, earthquakes, etc.), the proposed new controller will provide ample hands-on experience and lab demonstrations for students. For example, the upgraded, controllable vibration shaker support CES 4160: Structural Health Monitoring course, permitting ambient vibration testing with random vibrations. CES 6585: Structural Dynamics will significantly benefit from the upgraded experimental setup since students can access seismic experiments with vibration testing with real earthquake data. CEG 4012: Foundation Engineering students can learn about settlement due to construction-induced vibrations impacting numerous residential buildings and communities. Other courses that will benefit include: CES 4225: Structural Design of Buildings, CES 6106: Advanced Structural Analysis, and EGN 4323: Vibration Synthesis/Analysis.

Facilities

None required.

Hardware Requirements

None required

Software Requirements

None required

Personnel Costs

None required

Other Costs

Not applicable

Timeline

The proposed controller will be used for teaching and research for both undergraduate and graduate students in ongoing and future courses. No end date.

Sustainability

The PI, Professor Khaled Sobhan and Jinwoo Jang will be responsible for the maintenance, calibration, operation and sustainability of the controller.

Resource Matching

The Shake Table is already available. This proposal is for a Smart controller for education and research.

Implementing Organization

Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science