Pumps
The laboratory hydraulic distribution system is an
integrated solution for the combined functions of seismic and structural
testing. The system was designed to minimize system expenditure (by reducing
the use of duplication) and to maximize performance and capabilities.
The pump room piping segment is connected to the outputs
of the four HPS units and runs directly to the through an opening in the table
trench wall. The diameter of the common piping in the HPS room area is 130 mm
pressure and 220 mm return line with 2 inch drain lines. The reservoirs of the
HPS units are connected together with large diameter piping to provide a common
reservoir from which all 8 pumps on the 4 HPS units can draw oil.
The seismic piping system runs along the length of the
shake table trench. This piping is sized to allow both the seismic table and
structural actuators to run simultaneously for hybrid testing applications with
table-mounted specimens coupled with the strong wall at the east end of the
trench. Hydraulic outlets with manual valves are located along the trench for
positioning of the movable tables, offering maximum flexibility. Outlets are also
located along the strong wall for connecting the Hydraulic Service Manifolds
for the high flow structural actuators. Flexible hoses are used to connect the
table system and the structural actuators to the main hard line distribution
outlets.
Four hydraulic outlet stations are located along the
table trench for connection of hoses. Two stations are used to connect to the moveable
tables at any one time and any free stations can be used to allow connection of
structural actuators to the strong floor along the north side of the floor for
certain configurations. By design, one trench distribution manifold station
will allow one table to be positioned to any one of four locations without
breaking hose connections. This helps simplify repositioning of the table
system.
The main branch line running from the HPS piping
manifold in the table trench area to the east end of the trench is sized to
provide in excess of 1200 GPM pressure and 1600 GPM return (average) of oil
flow using 150 mm pressure piping and 220 mm return piping with 2 inch drain
lines. Wall openings are cast into the concrete structure of the basement and
the table trench, through which the hard line is routed.
Over 700 gallons of oil volume accumulation
is provided through four distributed accumulation bank systems. These
accumulators are located in the basement below the strong floor adjacent to the
high flow hydraulic distribution manifolds. These are engineered
to operate in a horizontal manner to provide maximum accessibility for
maintenance in the basement.
At the end run of the main branch line, a secondary
piping distribution runs south below the strong floor along the strong wall to
service the structural testing area. This secondary branch line for structural
testing also consists of 150 mm pressure piping and 220 mm return line piping
with 2 inch drain lines along the length of the strong wall. Line accumulation
from the individual Hydraulic Service Manifolds and the basement accumulation
banks supplements the flow above the 800 GPM output from the HPS units as
needed. Vertical risers run from the basement level through the strong floor to
the four distribution manifolds mentioned earlier. The pressure risers are 130
mm and the return risers 140 mm in diameter. Strong floor cut outs (precast in
the floor) allow the passage of the piping system from the basement to the top
of the strong floor.
At the strong floor surface, adjacent to the strong
wall, four high flow manual distribution manifolds are located, with four
sets of 2 inch hand and check valves to allow connection to the three moveable
Hydraulic Service Manifolds. This arrangement will supply the highest available
volume flow to the structural actuators for their demanding applications for
real time hybrid and other high-demand testing. These high flow manual
distribution manifolds can also be used as general purpose distribution
manifolds to connect other actuators for more traditional structural testing
applications (when the high flow structural actuators are not in use) adding setup
flexibility along the strong wall area.
Beginning at the fourth high flow structural testing
distribution manifold location, approximately 60 feet of 75 mm diameter piping
runs below the strong floor along the south edge of the floor. Three low flow
distribution manifolds are evenly spaced along this piping run and each
is provided with two sets of hand and check valves on the testing floor level. The
vertical risers consist of 2 inch SST piping (pressure and return) to each
distribution manifold.
When considered as a single system, the hard line runs
and outlet stations in the table trench, and the hard line runs and manifolds along
the strong wall and south strong floor allow hydraulic power to be distributed
to three sides of the strong floor area. This distribution scheme allows hydraulic
power coverage over the majority of the strong floor area.
Service manifolds (ports)
Three high flow (800gpm) Hydraulic Service Manifolds with
additional accumulation are typically located near the lab reaction wall to
provide full flow capacity to the high speed structural actuators. For
structural testing applications, these Hydraulic Service Manifolds are used for
on/off control with 40 gallons each of pressure and return accumulator banks.
These service manifolds each support a single actuator assembly with an 800 GPM
servo valve. These Hydraulic Service Manifolds can be positioned throughout the
testing Laboratory, with high speed testing typically performed at the lab
reaction wall where the distribution piping and accumulator systems will
maximize the flow capabilities. They can also be positioned at any free station
located at the seismic table trench area if needed.
Each table system has a dedicated integral Hydraulic
Service Manifold with 30 gallons each of pressure and return accumulators.
Two (2) 50gpm hydraulic service manifold are available
for connecting the static actuators. Typically these manifolds are connected to
the south strong floor distribution manifolds; however they can be used
throughout the laboratory wherever a connection point exists.
