The following equipment is available to users of the Carleton Laboratory. For further details, click on the tab of the testing machine.

In order to use any of these testing machines, you must apply for Research Access, as described here.

ANCO/MTS Hydraulic 2 Ton Shake Table

ANCO/MTS Hydraulic 2 Ton Shake Table

The Carleton Laboratory maintains a medium-scale shake table facility to conduct experimentation in structural dynamics and particularly how to monitor and actively control structures subjected to earthquake ground motions or other force excitations. The table, which was custom designed by ANCO Engineers for the Carleton Laboratory, is capable of carrying a maximum 3-ton payload on the 5ft x 5ft table, and is capable of shaking a 2-ton payload with 3 g acceleration (i.e. three times the acceleration of gravity in the horizontal direction). The shake table is ideally suited for seismic applications, because the hydraulic actuator can produce a stroke of +/- 5 inches (10 inch total stroke). The actuator has a 3-stage servo-valve controlled by an analog inner-loop control system (displacement based), and a digital outer-loop control system (acceleration feedback based).

SPECIFICATIONS

  • Uniaxial horizontal motion
  • 5 ft by 5 ft (1.5 m by 1.5 m) steel table
  • Dual roller- rail bearings to guide table
  • Peak-to-peak displacement of 10 inches double amplitude
  • Peak velocity of 60 in/sec (1.5 m/s)
  • Peak acceleration (with 2-ton test specimen) of 3.0g
  • Maximum test specimen weight of 2 tons
  • Frequency range 0-100Hz (design) (Note: actual performance exceeds this spec.)

 

DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEM

The current data acquisition system includes the Data Physics digital controller, Microstar Labs and National Instruments data acquisition cards. Most of the data pre- and post-processing is performed in MATLAB on 2 dedicated computers which are also network accessible.

 

Brüel & Kjær Vibration Exciter

Brüel & Kjær Vibration Exciter

The Bruel & Kjaer Vibration Exciter allows for vibration testing of small articles and for experimental modal capable of delivering peak sine forces up to 13.5 lbf (60 N).

SPECIFICATIONS

  • Manufacturer: Brüel & Kjær, Denmark
  • Model: Type 4809
  • Force Rating: 10 lbf (40 N) sine peak, 13.5 lbf (60 N) with assisted air cooling
  • Maximum Displacement: 0.32 in peak-to-peak (8 mm)
  • Maximum Bare Table Acceleration: 736 m/s2; 981 m/s2 with air cooling
  • Maximum Velocity: 65 in/s peak (1.65 m/s)
  • Table Diameter: 1.14 in (29 mm)

 

Kinemetrics Etna Accelerographs

Kinemetrics Etna Accelerograph

The Etna is a Strong Motion Accelerograph designed to meet a wide range of earthquake monitoring applications. The Etna provides superior resolution to meet needs in high dynamic range applications, where signal fidelity and data integrity are vital.

SPECIFICATIONS

  • Manufacturer: Kinemetrics, USA
  • Model: Etna
  • Dynamic Range: 108 dB @ 200 sps
  • Frequency Response: DC to 80 Hz @ 200 sps
  • Sampling Rate: 100, 200, 250 sps
  • Communications:
    • RS-232 Interface: Parameter setup, real-time telemetry and event retrieval
  • Timing accuracy to 0.5 milliseconds

 

Trimble Differential GPS Position Loggers

Trimble NetRS GPS Receiver and Zephyr 3 Base Antenna

The Trimble NetRS GPS Receiver integrates the latest dual-frequency GPS technology into a Linux processing and communications framework that can operate as a standalone reference station or can be integrated into a scalable network. The NetRS GPS Receiver is a flexible and reliable reference station for continuous operation.

The Zephyr 3 Base Antenna has the ability to track modernized GPS signals, BeiDou, GLONASS, Galileo, MSS (CenterPoint RTX, OmniSTAR, QZSS, and SBAS). It is also suitable as a fixed rover antenna for use in high multi-path environments.

SPECIFICATIONS

  • Manufacturer: Trimble Inc., USA
  • Model: Trimble NetRS GPS Receiver and Zephyr 3 Base Antenna
  • Data Storage:
    • 1 GB CompactFlash card 
    • 150 MB internal
    • 3400 hours of raw data observables based on recording data from 7 satellites at 15 sec epoch
    • Continuous logging session
  • Positioning: 1 Hz, 2 Hz, 5 Hz, and 10 Hz
  • Operating Temperature:
    • -40 °C to +65 °C
    • Storage temperature: -40 °C to +75 °C
  • Weight: 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg)
  • Size: 9in W x 2.6 in H x 5.5 in D (22.8 cm  x 6.5 cm x 14 cm)

 

CARLETON LAB SERVICE CENTER RATES

Click the button below to view the rates for the Carleton Lab Service Center (Requires UNI login).