Earthquake and large structures testing at the Bristol Laboratory for Advanced Dynamics Engineering

Abstract

Integrated within the Bristol Laboratory for Advanced Dynamics Engineering (BLADE) at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Bristol, the Earthquake and Large Structures (EQUALS) Laboratory is the UK’s largest dynamic test laboratory that specialises in earthquake engineering. The facilities contained include a six degree of freedom shaking table surrounded by a strong floor and adjacent strong walls. The capacity and capability of these facilities are described. The role and significance of the EQUALS infrastructure is demonstrated by discussion of a number of recent and ongoing projects. Subject areas ­encompassed include inclined cable dynamics, human-structure interaction, multiple support excitation, pile-soil interaction, non-linear self-aligning structures and corroded reinforced concrete.