Abstract
Pressure loading actuators (PLAs), originally developed at the University of Western Ontario, Canada, can correctly apply spatially-uniform, time-varying pressure on the surface of a specimen. Using this design, 4 PLAs were manufactured using components available in Japan with an updated control system. A detailed description of the development, function, and performance of these PLAs is provided, based on the results of tests with different testing conditions (size of pressure box, control mode, loading type, number of PLAs). Examples of their application in the determination of wind load resistance of cladding and components are also presented.
