How to use ? - A seismic simulator to test buildings

Step 1

Attach the rubber bands to the 4 ends of the two 40 cm strings. Pass each rubber band through a clothespin

Step 2

Place a plate with about 10 marbles in the centre of a table. 

Place a comic book on top

Step 3

Place two large books on either side of the comic book with their backs facing the comic book

Step 4

Slide the strings in the middle of the pages of the books and fix the clips on the 4 corners of the comic book.

Move the books apart until you get a slight tension.

Step 5

Place a jar lid on the comic book with about 10 marbles inside.Place a second lid on top.

Build two towers of 5 sugar cubes:

• one directly on the comic book
• the other one in the centre of the lid

Step 6

Simulate an earthquake by gently pulling the comic strip book and then releasing it.

Repeat the process, increasing each time the strenghs until one of the towers falls.