Effects of Earthquake Motion on Mechanism Operation: an Experimental Approach

Abstract

This paper presents an experimental characterization of the effects of earthquakes on the operation of mechanical systems with the help of CaPaMan (Cassino Parallel Manipulator), which is a 3 DOF robot that can fairly well simulate 3D earthquake motion. The sensitivity of operation characteristics of machinery to earthquake disturbance is identified and characterized through experimental tests. Experimental tests have been carried out by using a slider-crank linkage, a small car model, and LARM Hand as test-bed mechanisms that have been sensored with proper acceleration or force sensors. Results are reported and discussed to describe the effects of earthquake motion on the characteristics of mechanism operation as a service application of the robotic CaPaMan system.