3.3.2 Accelerometers

Accelerometers fall into three categories; strain gauge type, semiconductor type and piezoelectric type. The miniature strain gauge type accelerometer is less sensitive to the acceleration while semiconductor type is highly sensitive. As it is necessary to pay attention to the change in temperature during the test, semiconductor type needs a correction device.

In Photo 2 presented are the piezoelectric type transducers weighing 1.3 grams which have an advantage in high-frequency measurement (frequency; 1 - 13,000 Hz) and are stable in the centrifugal acceleration field.

Law, H., Ko, H.Y., Sture, S. and Pak, R. (1994) : Development and performance of a laminar container for earthquake liquefaction studies, Proc. of CETRIFUGE 91, pp. 369-376.

Suzuki, K., Babasaki, R. and Suzuki, Y. (1991) : Centrifuge tests on liquefaction-proof foundation, Proc. of CENTRIFUGE 91, pp. 409-415.

Brownell, K., Purcell, M., Hollopeter, C.A., Fragaszy, R., Taylor, T., and Olen, K.L. (1994) : Dynamic capabilities of the Wright Laboratory geotechnical centrifuge facility, Proc. of CENTRIFUGE 94, pp. 177-181.