Point of view. In this study, a SHAKING-TABLE was used for concentrating a manganese ore sample from the Ghasem Abad area in Kerman, Iran. Experiments were designed by using L The influence of each variable and their interactions on the operation of the device were studied. The variables under investigation were: TABLE slope, TABLE frequency, water flowrate, feed rate, and particle size. The manganese concentrate grade, recovery, and separation efficiency were used as response variables. It was shown that water flowrate, TABLE slope, feed rate, and particle size are the significant variable on concentrate grade; while, all the variables influence manganese recovery. Also, water flowrate, TABLE slope, and TABLE frequency have an important effect on manganese separation efficiency. Finally, three mathematical models were presented to predict the values of each response variables.Among all gravity concentration methods, the SHAKING-TABLE is the most effective one from the metallurgical8 Taguchi design with five variables, each in two levels.  

Interaction study on SHAKING TABLEs is considered necessary for such devices to guarantee their operational accuracy in vibration simulation. In such studies, accurate estimation on dynamic characteristics of foundation of SHAKING TABLEs and their neighboring soil is usually required. In this regard, experimental studies on the soil or on the foundation after its completion is recommended to reduce uncertainties in operation of the TABLE in near future. In this work a forced vibration study on the foundation of a six degrees of freedom SHAKING TABLE (to be operated by International institute of earthquake engineering and seismology) have been performed. In addition to the measured excitation information collected for determination of dynamic characteristics of the foundation, that part of the vibration that transfers to the soil (in different distances form the foundation) was also evaluated. Based on the results of such measurements, dynamic characteristics of the SHAKING TABLE foundation using a single degree of freedom model is estimated. Later the magnitude and the frequency contents of the vibration that was transferred to the soil in distances up to 25 meters from the edge of the foundation (in both vertical and horizontal direction) was also determined. According to the results of this study, the level of transferred acceleration to the soil reduces, rapidly, by distance from the foundation. However, the results of these measurements indicates that, acceleration magnitude in the range of high frequency vibration remains untouched.

In order to evaluate the seismic behavior of confined masonry buildings based on Iranian seismic code design, a single storey full-scale unreinforced confined brick masonry building has been constructed on the SHAKING TABLE facility at the Earthquake Engineering Research Center (EERC) of Sharif University of Technology. The 4 by 4 meter model consists of four brick masonry walls confined with reinforced mortar tie-columns and steel bond beams, with a traditional jack-arch roof system. Three of the wall panels contained openings of different sizes and geometries. The model was subjected to the scaled earthquake records of Bam, Tabas and El Centro, as well as a harmonic acceleration with gradually increasing amplitude. The test results indicated that, for moderate strength earthquakes, the provisions provided by the Iranian seismic code is appropriate for life safety. Results also verified that proper workmanship of ties plays an important role in the integrity and stability of the unreinforced masonry buildings. Settlement of the masonry walls and subsequent reduction in frictional resistance between wall and roof horizontal steel bond beams were effective on the out-of-plane failure of the walls. Based on experimental observations, some suggestions are made to improve the current seismic code of Iran.