Shake Table Dollhouse
A team of graduate students (Jaret Lynch, Can Simsir, Erich Bretz, Omer Erbay, and Duhee Park) and undergraduate students (Sarah West, Cindy Safin, and Wade Clarke) designed a dollhouse that may be used, along with a miniature shake table, to demonstrate the devastating effects of earthquakes.
Simulated earthquakes of varying magnitudes show these destructive results, while also displaying retrofitting and preventative measure benefits. The design can be duplicated and/or altered to fit individual needs.
Materials
Materials Required | Materials for Retrofit & Rehabilitation |
2 - 4’x8’ sheets of 1/8’ thick plexiglass (and appropriate glue) | String |
| #10–24 threaded rod (48” in length) | 1/8” wooden dowel rods |
| 8 - #10-32 bolts | Strips of foam |
| 8 - #10-24 bolts and nuts | Strips of elastic |
| 2 – 4’ x 1 ½” x 1/8” aluminum angle | Sheets of plastic |
| ¾” sq. plexiglass (48” total length) | Cardboard |
The two-story dollhouse consists of seven rooms and one garage. Each room will contain typical dollhouse furnishings. It is approximately one-ninth the size of an actual two-story house. The dollhouse is constructed of plexiglass to allow the spectators to see through the house during the demonstration, and remain self-supporting.
One half of the house is capable of being retrofitted with a variety of materials. These materials range from rubber bands to popsicle sticks. Members of the audience will be able to choose retrofitting materials. This will increase spectators’ interest by being involved in the protection of the structure from earthquake damage.
Structural Design
Overall Dimensions | ||
L = 44” | W = 20” | H = 27” |
The structure is modeled as a typical dollhouse, except for minor adjustments. The dollhouse is split into two sections, virtually cut down the middle. Only one side of the house will be retrofitted so the spectators can witness how the two separate sides react differently in a simulated earthquake. There are two exterior walls, front and back, while the sides of the house are left exposed. There are no sidewalls because their presence would provide unnecessary stiffness. For the same reason, all interior walls that are in the plane of motion are not connected to any adjacent walls or the ceilings. Also, there are a small number of in-plane interior walls in order to maximize motion.
