3.1. Design for the Environment
The essential materials used in the shake table are aluminum and steel, both which require a lot of energy to manufacturer. Nonetheless, these materials are durable, reusable, and recyclable, which give the design some economic and environmental advantages. The shake table needed to be strong and rigid to support the vibrating effects that it creates as well as support the structure in which it will be testing. Using steel and aluminum plates allowed for the minimization of materials used while maximizing strength and aesthetics. Other materials could have been used that are more environmentally friendly, but the amount of material would have been marginally greater thus creating a much more bulky design. Using aluminum and steel permitted the creation of a durable and affordable design that does not promote any lifelong impacts to the environment.