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The Motion Simulator is a modified flight simulator that is mostly used for marine crew training.  It is located at th Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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  • Motion Simulator Overview

    The Motion Simulator is used as a Performance-Based Design tool to define a suitable target comfort performance level for the dynamic behavior of occupied structures (such as building, bridges, floor systems, etc).   

    In the simulator, the design team can accurately replicate and experience true-to-life motions for a range of design scenarios.

  • Benefits

    Explore various design options:  A full range of design scenarios can be explored in person by the design team.  The direct impact on motion performance for different structural properties and architectural configurations, and different locations in the structure can be fully investigated. 

    Make fully informed, key design decisions as a team:  With a comprehensive understanding of the factors affecting the structure’s performance, the owner and the project design team and the owner can make key design decisions regarding the structures performance together. 

    Experience building motion: Time-histories of building motions at the top occupied floor are used to drive the motion simulator. The motions experienced are realistic representations of the dynamic response of a building that is undergoing fluctuating wind excitations.

    Experience motion criteria and design guidelines: commonly used motion criteria and design guidelines such as CTBUH, AIJ, and ISO are explored.

  • Simulator Feedback

    "A pivotal experience for any engineer responsible for design of very high-rise buildings."

    "This process of simulating actual building movements will change some of the established approaches and criteria."

    "The frequency-dependence [of motion perception] is stronger [than I expected], and the values are too conservative in ISO and AIJ."

    "A change in current philosophy towards a 'performance basis' is required."

    "We are further convinced about this motion."

    "Personally, I feel that the 1 month return [period motions] should be virtually imperceptible."

    "Very valuable to experience the 'standards'."

    "We need to have more workshops like this. The experience is very valuable."

  • Media

    Daily Planet : November 24, 2008 : A-Spire to New Heights (video: see what it is like in the motion simulator)

Six-degrees-of-freedom: The simulator is capable of simulating various combinations of sway, heave, yaw, pitch, and roll motions having a wide range of velocity, acceleration, and displacement amplitudes.