Vibration tests of the Encino Dam intake tower

The need for dynamic tests of full size structures has been realized for many years. The only way in which the parameters of major interest in structural dynamics problems, such as effective dynamic spring constants, energy dissipation characteristics, etc., can be determined, is by tests of actual structures under relatively high loading conditions. Such tests have very seldom been possible because of (1) the difficulty of applying dynamic loads of the required type and magnitude; (2) the difficulty of making the required measurements of dynamic structural responses; and (3) the unavailability of suitable test structures which could be loaded to the point of significant damage