Pulse Excitation Techniques

A series of rectangular or other simple pulses can be convolved with the impulse functions of a structure to induce motions closely approximating those caused by natural and man-made events. Control of the excitation; portability to the site; ease of attachment to the structure; multiaxial excitation; low cost of excitation equipment; and the ability to excite structures from simple harmonic motion to expected multifrequency response-time histories are possible by the development of pulse techniques. Recent investigations have also disclosed the utility of pulse techniques to oppose structural motions as in earthquakes or in large antenna arrays in space.