Assignment
Plan and document a final project that integrates the range of units covered

In my case due to the complexity of the selected project, it will be developed by a team of two people: Covadonga Lorenzo y Epifanio L. Cueva. 

What will it do?

The idea is to build a shake table to simulate ground motion during an earthquake so that architectural students could explore how to minimize damage and improve their architectural designs.

Using this earthquake shake table, it will be possible to visualize data about the behavior of a structure thanks to the use of some sensors. The results will be visualized in a computer.

Once the model is located on a shake table, weights could be attached to each floor and the roof.  Sensors are attached to the shake table and to the top of the building. The results of shake table testing can be monitored on the computer screen.

The final project includes as well the design and construction of structural models to test them using the shake table.

 Who's done what beforehand?

In 1969, Professor Penzien conceived the design of the world’s first modern shaking table with the assistance of Professor Clough, both UC Berkeley Faculty. The shaking table they created is the same one operated by PEER today and is still the largest multidirectional shaking table in the United States and among the most sophisticated in the world. Many of the design features originated in Berkeley, were later adopted for shaking tables in Japan, Mexico, Peru, and Yugoslavia.
http://peer.berkeley.edu/laboratories/shaking_table.html

In 1988 was established the Consortium of Universities for Research in Earthquake Engineering (CUREE) is a non-profit organization, established in 1988, devoted to the advancement of earthquake engineering research, education and implementation (http://www.curee.org).

In the spring of 2011, NEES at the University of California Santa Barbara (NEES@UCSB) embarked on a project to develop a comprehensive set of teaching modules for K-12 students that would cover the basics of plate tectonics and earthquake dynamics. The idea for the project grew from the success of the “Make Your Own Earthquake” outreach activity developed by NEES@UCSB, which recently has included the use of the Quake Catcher Network MEMS accelerometer (http://nees.org/resources/2738).

References:

Quanser Shake Table
http://quanser.blogspot.com.es/2013/02/how-quanser-shake-tables-are-shaking-up.html

Desktop Shake Table
http://tdgtestbox.blogspot.com.es/2012/04/desktop-shake-table-for-educational.html

Some examples:
http://www.exo.net/~donr/activities/Shake_Table.pdf
http://www.geo.mtu.edu/~jdiehl/ETM.pdf
http://mceer.buffalo.edu/infoservice/Education/shaketableLessonPlan.asp

What materials and components will be required?

After analyzing references and examples of different earthquake tables we decided to design and create our own model of a shake table using a Function generator and two mechanical vibrators that move depending on the frequency generated by the mentioned Function generator.

1. Function generator
we found some examples on how to generate this component.
http://electronicdesign.com/test-amp-measurement/low-cost-function-generator
http://www.ecs.umass.edu/ece212/ECE212_lab6.pdf
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9002
http://www.instructables.com/id/Analogue-Function-Generator/
http://www.myplace.nu/avr/minidds/index.htm
http://interface.khm.de/index.php/lab/experiments/arduino-dds-sinewave-generator/

2. The shake platform
It is a rectangular platform made of wood with metal washers on each end of the wooden dowels for movement. Two mechanical vibrators will be located under the table to move it.

3. Structural models
Different types of structural models will be developed to see how all them stand up and to analyze the results.

4. Sensors and interfaces application

Where will they come from?

Mostly FabLab Inventory, otherwise Local Shop
Two mechanical vibrators:  Recycled

How much will it cost?

No more than 100 Euros

What parts and systems will be made?

The shake platform, the Function generator, sensors and the structural models.

What processes will be used?

Computer- Aided Design
to design the shake table, the Function generator enclosure and the structural models

Physical Design & Fabrication
computer controlled machining for the pieces of the shake table
computer controlled cutting (laser cutters) for the structural models

Embedded Programming
to program the Fabuinos that control the sensors.  

Input & Output Devices
The project includes two accelerators and one sonar as well as a LCD screen and leeds. 

Electronics Design and Production.   
The project includes de design and production of the boards for the input .

Other possible areas:
Interface and application programming (processing to visualize data)

What tasks need to be completed?
Shake table design and manufacturing
Design and make structural models
Design and make the Function generator.
Design, make and program sensors.
Programming data visualization.

What questions need to be answered?
Test the structural models designed in the Shake table.
Use the data produced by the accelerometer to describe, measure and analyze acceleration motion

What is the schedule?
week 1 (15-22/05/2013): Design and make the shake table and the Function generator.
week 2 (22-29/05/2013): Add input and output devices to the final project and test the structural models.

How will it be evaluated?
1. test if it is possible to change the frequency using the generator Function to move the mechanical vibrators.
2. test if it is possible to measure using the sensors.
3. test if it is possible to visualize the data using the output devices

We are going to work together on subsystems.

Covadonga Lorenzo
1. Design and make the shake platform and the structural models.
2. Design and make at least one input (twoaccelerators) and one output (led array)
3. To write an application using processing to interface with the accelerators for the analysis of the data.

Epifanio L. Cueva
1. Design and make the Function generator.
2. Design and make at least one input (control buttons of the funcion generator) and one output (LCD screen)
3. Write an application to interface with the input and output devices for the analysis of the data
4. Design and make one structural models.