We are proud to unveil our latest innovation—the state-of-the-art 250-kg Uniaxial Shake Table. This cutting-edge piece of equipment is engineered to provide unparalleled accuracy and performance for seismic testing, making it an essential tool for engineers and researchers focused on advancing structural resilience and earthquake preparedness.

Key Features

• 1m x 1m Top Table: Ample space for a variety of test setups.
• 250 kg Payload Capacity (@ ±1g): Designed to handle robust testing requirements.
• ±200 mm Stroke: Provides the flexibility needed for detailed simulations.
• Closed-Loop PID Control: Ensures precise control over testing parameters for reliable results.
• Powered by a Servo Motor: Delivers smooth, quiet, and highly accurate operations, ideal for earthquake simulations.
• Easy Setup, Plug & Play: Simplified installation allows you to start testing quickly, minimizing downtime.
• Low Power Consumption: Designed with energy efficiency in mind, making it cost-effective to operate.
• High Industrial Quality: Built to last, this shake table is virtually maintenance-free, offering long-term reliability.

Seamless Integration and Remote Control

One of the standout features of our 250-kg Uniaxial Shake Table is its IP-based system, allowing for remote operation and monitoring. Whether you’re in the lab or working from another location, you can maintain full control over your seismic tests. Additionally, the shake table comes equipped with QuakeLogic’s proprietary EASYTEST software, which operates smoothly on any Windows machine without the need for specialized computer cards or hardware.

Designed for Efficiency

The shake table’s compact and sleek design ensures a quick and effortless setup, allowing you to begin your testing with minimal hassle. Its virtually maintenance-free build means you can focus on your research, not on the upkeep of your equipment.

Watch the Shake Table in Action

Curious to see the 250-kg Uniaxial Shake Table at work? Click the YouTube link below to watch a live demonstration, including its control software in use:
Watch Now

Learn More

For detailed specifications or to see more information, visit our product page: QuakeLogic 250-kg Shake Table or contact us directly at sales@quakelogic.net.

Join the ranks of engineers and researchers who are transforming seismic testing and building safer, more resilient infrastructure.

Some of our recent clients are:

• Nokia,
• Caltech,
• University of Texas,
• Texas AM,
• Virginia Tech,
• Imperial College London,
• UC San Diego,
• Cooper Union University,
• University of Alberta,
• National Autonomous University of Mexico,
• American University of Sharjah,
• University of Queensland and many more.

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Why Choose QuakeLogic?

1. Proven Performance: QuakeLogic’s shake tables have been installed and are in use at leading research facilities worldwide.
2. Custom Solutions: Tailored configurations to meet specific testing needs, whether uniaxial or biaxial.
3. Expert Support: Our team works closely with clients to ensure successful system installation, operation, and ongoing maintenance, offering full lifecycle support.

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About QuakeLogic

QuakeLogic is a leading provider of advanced seismic monitoring solutions, offering a range of products and services designed to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of testing, data acquisition, and analysis.

Contact Information:

• Email: sales@quakelogic.net
• Phone: +1-916-899-0391
• WhatsApp: +1-650-353-8627
• Website: www.quakelogic.net

For more information about our products and services, please visit our website or contact our sales team. We are here to help you with all your testing and monitoring needs.

Last reviewed: 2026-07-04

Executive Summary

Shake tables reproduce controlled motion in the laboratory so engineers can evaluate components, assemblies, soil boxes, and structural models under seismic inputs. This article has been expanded as an engineering resource for readers evaluating shake tables concepts, instrumentation choices, and monitoring workflows. The discussion is educational and should be paired with project-specific review by qualified engineers, applicable codes, owner requirements, and equipment documentation.

Key Takeaways

• Define the engineering objective before selecting sensors, test equipment, trigger thresholds, or reporting workflows.
• Use calibrated instrumentation, documented installation practices, time synchronization, and traceable data handling where measurement quality matters.
• Interpret measured data in context: site conditions, structure type, noise environment, sampling rate, bandwidth, and boundary conditions all affect conclusions.
• Use authoritative references and project-specific criteria rather than relying on generic thresholds or unsupported performance claims.

Technical Explanation

In practical shake tables work, the engineering system is more than a sensor or a test platform. A credible workflow includes the measurement objective, instrument selection, mounting or boundary conditions, sampling and timing strategy, data validation, event or response detection, engineering review, and reporting. Weakness in any part of that chain can reduce confidence in the final interpretation.

For monitoring applications, engineers should document sensor orientation, coupling, environmental exposure, dynamic range, frequency bandwidth, data logger configuration, clock synchronization, communications, and maintenance procedures. For testing applications, engineers should document input motion, fixture design, payload properties, control limits, safety interlocks, acceptance criteria, and post-test data review.

Engineering Applications

Application	Engineering Question	Typical Evidence Needed
Research and education	How does a structure, component, or sensor respond under controlled conditions?	Test plan, calibrated data, input motion, boundary conditions, and repeatable observations.
Critical infrastructure	Is the asset response normal, changing, or potentially unsafe after an event?	Baseline data, event records, thresholds, inspection workflow, and engineering sign-off.
Industrial facilities	Can monitoring support operational continuity and response decisions?	Site-specific criteria, reliable telemetry, alarm logic, maintenance records, and documented procedures.

People Also Ask

What should be specified before buying equipment?

Specify the measurement objective, frequency range, amplitude range, environment, data format, timing needs, installation constraints, reporting requirements, and applicable standards or owner criteria.

Why do references and standards matter?

They provide terminology, acceptance criteria, test methods, and documentation expectations. They do not replace engineering judgment, but they reduce ambiguity and make results easier to review.

How should data quality be checked?

Review calibration status, timing, clipping, sensor orientation, signal-to-noise ratio, environmental artifacts, data completeness, and whether the record supports the engineering decision being made.

Related QuakeLogic Resources

• 40-Ton Uniaxial and Biaxial Hydraulic Shake Tables
• Beginners Guide to Actuators
• Why QuakeLogic Offered Portable Bi-Axial Shake Table is the Superior Choice Compared to Quanser’s Biaxial Shake Table II
• QuakeLogic Shake Tables for EV Charging Station’s California Certification
• Related QuakeLogic products and technologies
• QuakeLogic Engineering Blog topic resources

References

• ICC-ES AC156 Acceptance Criteria
• NEES/NHERI Experimental Facilities
• ASTM International Standards

Recommended Diagram or Download

Media placeholder: Add an original diagram showing the measurement chain from sensor or test platform to data acquisition, analysis, engineering interpretation, and reporting. Where this article becomes a buyer guide or application note, create a downloadable PDF version after engineering review.

Discuss a Monitoring or Testing Application

QuakeLogic supports seismic monitoring, earthquake early warning, structural health monitoring, infrasound monitoring, vibration monitoring, data acquisition, and shake table testing applications. For project-specific guidance, contact QuakeLogic with the asset type, measurement objective, site constraints, and required deliverables.

Comprehensive Guide to AC156 Non-Structural Seismic Testing: Key Technical Insights

Non-structural seismic testing plays a crucial role in ensuring that building components, such as HVAC systems, piping, electrical infrastructure, and essential fixtures, are capable of withstanding seismic events. The widely adopted AC156 standard (Acceptance Criteria for Seismic Certification by Shake-Table Testing of Nonstructural Components) sets forth a technical framework for qualifying non-structural components to ensure their seismic resilience.

This guide aims to provide a deep dive into the technical details of AC156 testing, the steps for generating seismic profiles, and considerations for creating a test plan.

Technical Overview of AC156 Testing

The AC156 standard, developed by the International Code Council Evaluation Service (ICC-ES), outlines the required procedures for assessing non-structural components using shake tables to replicate earthquake ground motion. This ensures that critical building elements remain functional during and after an earthquake, minimizing the potential for failure or dislodgement that could cause hazards.

Key Components of AC156 Testing

Scope of Testing:

• AC156 covers components that are affixed to buildings and critical infrastructures, such as:
  • Mechanical systems (e.g., HVAC units, piping systems).
  • Electrical systems (e.g., emergency power supplies, control panels, lighting fixtures).
  • Safety and medical equipment (e.g., elevators, emergency medical devices).
• These components are tested to verify that they either maintain functionality or remain securely fastened after exposure to seismic forces.

Shake Table Testing Methodology:

• The shake table test is at the heart of AC156, where components are subjected to controlled seismic motion. The shake table simulates the ground motions of an earthquake, applying forces along multiple axes to reproduce real-world earthquake dynamics.
• Biaxial shaking (testing along two orthogonal axes simultaneously) is the preferred method, as it better simulates real-world conditions. However, uniaxial testing is also acceptable for simpler cases, depending on the component’s design.
• Shake table inputs are derived from response spectra, ensuring that ground motions are generated based on regional seismic risks and building codes.
• Seismic Profile Generation:
• A critical part of the test is the generation of a seismic profile, which reflects the seismic demand based on the design response spectrum. The response spectrum is defined by the ASCE 7-22 standard or the International Building Code (IBC) (or California Building Code) for the region where the component will be installed.
• Seismic profile generation can be performed using specialized software tools, which allow for matching a time-history record to the target response spectrum either amplitude scaling or spectral matching. The generated time history ensures that the shake table replicates realistic ground motion for the location.

Testing Criteria:

• Components must meet specific performance criteria based on three key objectives:
  • Functional Testing: Verifying that equipment continues to function under and after seismic motion. For example, an HVAC system must maintain operation to avoid disruption to the building’s climate control.
  • Structural Integrity: Ensuring that components do not suffer from catastrophic structural failures, which could result in dislodgment, overturning, or breakage.
  • Safety: Preventing components from becoming hazards. Even if a component ceases to function, it should not pose additional risks (e.g., falling debris or electrical shock).

Data Collection and Instrumentation

Instrumentation plays a vital role in seismic testing, providing precise data to evaluate the performance of the tested components. Commonly used instruments in AC156 testing include:

• Accelerometers: These measure the acceleration response of the component, capturing how it reacts to seismic forces.
• Displacement Sensors: These measure the movement of the component relative to its original position, essential for assessing whether components remain securely anchored.
• Load Cells: These can be used to measure the forces exerted on the mounting system during the seismic event.

The data from these instruments allow engineers to identify potential failure modes and provide insights into how to improve component design.

Steps for Creating a Test Plan for Shaker-Based Seismic Testing

To ensure comprehensive seismic testing, a well-structured test plan must be developed, accounting for all variables in the testing process:

Component Identification: Begin by identifying the component(s) to be tested, including the type, size, weight, and any specific features that might influence seismic performance.

• Example: A 500-pound HVAC unit mounted on a rooftop requires different testing parameters than a lightweight lighting fixture mounted on a ceiling.

Seismic Profile Development: Utilize the design response spectrum for the region in which the component will be installed. The spectrum provides the basis for generating the seismic profile.

• Example: If testing for installation in a high-seismicity region like California, the profile should replicate severe earthquake conditions, as outlined in ASCE 7-22.

Test Objectives:

• Functional Testing: Determine if the equipment needs to maintain continuous operation after seismic motion. For life-critical systems (e.g., emergency power supplies), functionality is the primary test objective.
• Safety and Integrity: For non-operational components, confirm that they remain safely fastened without causing hazards (e.g., medical gas lines in hospitals).

Testing:

1. Instrumentation Setup: Plan the placement of accelerometers, displacement sensors, and load cells to capture detailed data during the test. Data from these instruments will help assess compliance with AC156 standards.
2. Execution: Execute the test, applying the seismic profile to the shake table. Ensure proper monitoring throughout the test to capture all relevant performance data.
3. Data Analysis: After the test, analyze the collected data to verify that the component meets the performance criteria. If necessary, adjust the design or mounting configurations to ensure compliance.

Applications and Importance of AC156 Testing

AC156 seismic testing is crucial across multiple industries, including:

• Commercial Buildings: HVAC systems, lighting, and electrical panels.
• Healthcare: Seismic compliance for medical equipment, life-support systems, and emergency infrastructure.
• Data Centers: Server racks and backup systems that require uninterrupted functionality during and after seismic events.
• Telecommunication: Ensuring the operational continuity of communication networks during a disaster.

About QuakeLogic

QuakeLogic is a leading provider of advanced vibration testing equipment, seismic monitoring solutions, offering a range of products and services designed to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of lab testing, data acquisition, and analysis.

Contact Information:

• Email: sales@quakelogic.net
• Phone: +1-916-899-0391
• WhatsApp: +1-650-353-8627
• Website: www.quakelogic.net

For more information about our products and services, please visit our website or contact our sales team. We are here to help you with all your testing and monitoring needs.

Last reviewed: 2026-07-04

Executive Summary

Shake table testing helps engineers reproduce controlled motion so components, assemblies, models, and equipment can be evaluated under defined seismic or vibration inputs. This article is maintained as a QuakeLogic engineering resource for readers evaluating terminology, applications, instrumentation, and practical implementation considerations. The content is educational and should be reviewed against project-specific requirements, applicable standards, manufacturer documentation, and qualified engineering judgment.

Key Takeaways

• Start with the engineering objective, operating environment, required measurements, and decision workflow.
• Use calibrated instrumentation, documented configuration, appropriate sampling, and traceable data handling where results support engineering decisions.
• Interpret results in context; boundary conditions, installation quality, noise, bandwidth, and site conditions can materially affect conclusions.
• Use standards and references as guidance, not as substitutes for project-specific engineering review.

Technical Explanation

A credible engineering workflow links the physical system, the measurement chain, data acquisition, processing, interpretation, and reporting. For testing, that means documenting the input, payload, fixture, limits, safety controls, and acceptance criteria. For monitoring, that means documenting sensor type, placement, orientation, coupling, timing, communications, maintenance, alarm logic, and review procedures.

Engineering Applications

Use Case	Primary Question	Useful Documentation
Research or education	What behavior can be measured, demonstrated, or repeated?	Test plan, configuration notes, input data, calibration records, and observations.
Infrastructure or facility monitoring	Is response normal, changing, or outside expected limits?	Baseline data, event records, thresholds, inspection notes, and engineering review.
Product or system selection	Which specifications matter for the application?	Measurement range, bandwidth, accuracy, environment, integration needs, and deliverables.

People Also Ask

What information should be gathered before selecting equipment?

Define the measurement objective, expected amplitude and frequency range, installation environment, data format, timing requirements, communications, reporting needs, and applicable standards.

How can data quality be protected?

Use appropriate sensor mounting, calibration, channel naming, time synchronization, clipping checks, noise review, and documented maintenance procedures.

When is human engineering review required?

Human review is required when results affect safety, compliance, operations, procurement, structural assessment, or emergency response decisions.

Related Technologies and Resources

• Electromagnetic Shake Table: Inside QL-ATOM 25
• Shake Table Solutions for Advanced Seismic Testing
• Acoustic Emission Monitoring Guide
• Infrasound Active Noise Cancellation
• AI Data Centers: Infrasound Noise Monitoring
• Related QuakeLogic products and technologies
• QuakeLogic Engineering Blog resources

References

• ICC-ES AC156
• ASTM International
• NHERI DesignSafe

Recommended Media

Media placeholder: Add an original diagram, workflow graphic, comparison chart, product illustration, lab photograph, or installation schematic after technical review. Do not use stock imagery where readers need to inspect real equipment or engineering details.

Discuss an Application with QuakeLogic

QuakeLogic supports seismic monitoring, earthquake early warning, structural health monitoring, infrasound monitoring, vibration monitoring, data acquisition, robotics education, and shake table testing workflows. For project-specific guidance, contact QuakeLogic with the application, measurement objective, environment, and required deliverables.

Shake tables provide a critical tool for simulating earthquake events and testing the response of structures to seismic forces. However, most existing shake tables are either prohibitively expensive or proprietary, limiting their accessibility for educational and research purposes. To bridge this gap, we present Shakebot, a low-cost, open-source shake table designed specifically for engineering research and education.

Key Features of Shakebot

The Shakebot is built using affordable, high-precision components. This approach not only keeps the cost down but also ensures the reliability and accuracy needed for vibration testing. Here are some of the standout features:

• Open-Source Software with ROS: The shake table runs on the Robot Operating System (ROS), allowing for modular software integration and facilitating easy transition from simulation to physical experiments.
• Accessible and User-Friendly: The Shakebot’s low cost and simple setup make it ideal for students, educators, and researchers, especially in low-resource settings.

Specifications:

• Degree of Freedom: Single 
• Movement Degree: Horizontal Table 
• Dimensions: 290 x 810 mm (excluding control box)
• Payload: 50 kg @ 1 g 
• Velocity: 2,000 mm/s 
• Stroke: +/-140 mm (380 mm) 
• Max. Operating Frequency @ 1kg 10mm: 25 Hz 
• Position Precision: 0.08 mm
• Max. acceleration at 5 kg and 2,000 mm/s: 5 g
• Software: Python (supported by Robot Operating System)

Seeing is Believing

Watch the demonstration video of shakebot by clicking the link below:

Application in Precariously Balanced Rocks (PBR) Research

One of the most exciting applications of the Shakebot is in the study of Precariously Balanced Rocks (PBRs) by CALTECH. PBRs serve as natural markers that indicate the absence of significant seismic activity in an area. With the Shakebot, the researchers validated the simulations through physical testing.

By reusing the control programs developed in ROS, the CALTECH researches ensured that the ground motions used in simulations are identical to those applied in the physical experiments. This consistency was vital for validating the accuracy of the simulation and ensuring reliable results in both virtual and real-world settings.

Why Choose Shakebot?

• Affordable: Built using readily available components, Shakebot offers a high-performance solution at a fraction of the cost of traditional shake tables.
• Open-Source: With ROS-based software, Shakebot allows for extensive customization, making it suitable for a wide range of seismic research applications.
• Versatile: Whether you are testing small-scale structures or conducting PBR studies, Shakebot is a highly flexible tool for both education and research.

QuakeLogic Is Proud to Offer Shakebot

At QuakeLogic, we are committed to providing innovative seismic monitoring and testing solutions. Shakebot is a proud addition to our product lineup, designed to meet the needs of researchers, educators, and engineers seeking an affordable yet high-precision shake table.

About QuakeLogic

QuakeLogic is a leading provider of advanced seismic monitoring solutions, offering a range of products and services designed to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of testing, data acquisition, and analysis.

Contact Information:

• Email: sales@quakelogic.net
• Phone: +1-916-899-0391
• WhatsApp: +1-650-353-8627
• Website: www.quakelogic.net

For more information about our products and services, please visit our website or contact our sales team. We are here to help you with all your testing and monitoring needs.

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With Shakebot, QuakeLogic continues its mission to democratize earthquake engineering tools, ensuring that vital seismic research and education are accessible to everyone.

Last reviewed: 2026-07-04

Executive Summary

Earthquake engineering connects ground motion, structural response, performance objectives, instrumentation, and post-event decision support. This article has been expanded as an engineering resource for readers evaluating earthquake engineering concepts, instrumentation choices, and monitoring workflows. The discussion is educational and should be paired with project-specific review by qualified engineers, applicable codes, owner requirements, and equipment documentation.

Key Takeaways

• Define the engineering objective before selecting sensors, test equipment, trigger thresholds, or reporting workflows.
• Use calibrated instrumentation, documented installation practices, time synchronization, and traceable data handling where measurement quality matters.
• Interpret measured data in context: site conditions, structure type, noise environment, sampling rate, bandwidth, and boundary conditions all affect conclusions.
• Use authoritative references and project-specific criteria rather than relying on generic thresholds or unsupported performance claims.

Technical Explanation

In practical earthquake engineering work, the engineering system is more than a sensor or a test platform. A credible workflow includes the measurement objective, instrument selection, mounting or boundary conditions, sampling and timing strategy, data validation, event or response detection, engineering review, and reporting. Weakness in any part of that chain can reduce confidence in the final interpretation.

For monitoring applications, engineers should document sensor orientation, coupling, environmental exposure, dynamic range, frequency bandwidth, data logger configuration, clock synchronization, communications, and maintenance procedures. For testing applications, engineers should document input motion, fixture design, payload properties, control limits, safety interlocks, acceptance criteria, and post-test data review.

Engineering Applications

Application	Engineering Question	Typical Evidence Needed
Research and education	How does a structure, component, or sensor respond under controlled conditions?	Test plan, calibrated data, input motion, boundary conditions, and repeatable observations.
Critical infrastructure	Is the asset response normal, changing, or potentially unsafe after an event?	Baseline data, event records, thresholds, inspection workflow, and engineering sign-off.
Industrial facilities	Can monitoring support operational continuity and response decisions?	Site-specific criteria, reliable telemetry, alarm logic, maintenance records, and documented procedures.

People Also Ask

What should be specified before buying equipment?

Specify the measurement objective, frequency range, amplitude range, environment, data format, timing needs, installation constraints, reporting requirements, and applicable standards or owner criteria.

Why do references and standards matter?

They provide terminology, acceptance criteria, test methods, and documentation expectations. They do not replace engineering judgment, but they reduce ambiguity and make results easier to review.

How should data quality be checked?

Review calibration status, timing, clipping, sensor orientation, signal-to-noise ratio, environmental artifacts, data completeness, and whether the record supports the engineering decision being made.

Related QuakeLogic Resources

• Why Your Organization Should Have an Earthquake Warning System?
• GN309 Intelligent Node Seismograph: Advanced Seismic Monitoring Made Simple
• Pre-training Meeting Preparation List for Shake Table Setup
• Electromagnetic Shake Table: Inside QL-ATOM 25
• Related QuakeLogic products and technologies
• QuakeLogic Engineering Blog topic resources

References

• USGS Earthquake Hazards Program
• FEMA Earthquake Publications
• ASCE 7 Hazard Tool

Recommended Diagram or Download

Media placeholder: Add an original diagram showing the measurement chain from sensor or test platform to data acquisition, analysis, engineering interpretation, and reporting. Where this article becomes a buyer guide or application note, create a downloadable PDF version after engineering review.

Discuss a Monitoring or Testing Application

QuakeLogic supports seismic monitoring, earthquake early warning, structural health monitoring, infrasound monitoring, vibration monitoring, data acquisition, and shake table testing applications. For project-specific guidance, contact QuakeLogic with the asset type, measurement objective, site constraints, and required deliverables.