VSU Civil Engineering students invent low-cost earthquake simulator “VisQuake”

The VSU Civil Engineering students have built Visquake, a low-cost earthquake simulator that demonstrates how buildings respond to seismic activities.  This small-scale innovation gives students and future engineers the rare chance to see earthquake principles in action.

The team of Joshua A. Brezo, Shenna D. Bulado, and Marc A. Sumabong (major in Construction Engineering and Management) together with Koleen P. Cormero (major in Structural Engineering) designed VisQuake to answer a common challenge on how to make abstract concepts on structural dynamics and earthquake engineering easier to grasp. 

"We saw multiple videos on the internet on how shaking tablees were used in the classroom as a tool for learning and how we wished we could experience that also. A shaking table can bring these ideas to life through clear and visual demonstrations," Cormero said.

VisQuake is a small-scale uniaxial shaking table powered by a stepper motor, ball screw assembly, accelerometer, linear bearings, and microcontrollers. It runs on Arduino Uno, which converts real earthquake data into back-and-forth shaking motion, and an Arduino Mega, which records the strength of these simulations. 

The prototype has already proven its accuracy, posting only 6% to 8.7% error rate even with a 15kg payload, results that compare impressively with more advanced simulators like Japan’s SARSAR and the University of Nevada’s EMU.

To make it more reliable, the team also added a filtration system that removes unnecessary noise from small or irrelevant motions.

Beyond the technical details, the project has opened new possibilities for teaching and training. For VSU, this means future batches of civil engineering students will have access to a tool that can deepen their understanding of earthquake behavior without the high costs of imported equipment. 

For the students behind VisQuake, the project represents a chance to make a lasting impact. According to them, it was rewarding that they were recognized by their work and how this innovation can be of great use for the next batches to come in Civil Engineering. 

The group also expressed their gratitude to their mentors, Engr. Andy Phil D. Cortes, Engr. Vic Angelo L. Impas, and Engr. Philip Caesar Ebit, who guided them throughout the process. 

"Each of them played a big part in helping us shape the simulator into what it is now," Sumabong added. 

VisQuake brings earthquake science closer to the students and faculty. It shows how local ingenuity can produce tools that not only improve classroom learning but also contribute to preparing future engineers for the challenges of building safer communities.

This article is aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SGDs) 4: Quality Education; SDG9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities; and, SDG17: Partnership for the Goals.

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