Republic of the Philippines

Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology

General Tinio St., Cabanatuan City
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

CE 543
Earthquake engineering

Submitted by:

Jazbelle S. Bernardo
Jericho S. Castillo
Regine V. Dela Fuente
Jean Crizelle Mactal
Rommil A. Onarse
Kyser John Bess N. Sagum

BSCE 5C

Submitted to:

Engr. Civlain Anne E. Iniwan

Subject Professor

November 2017
 Seismometer is an instrument used to detect and record seismic waves. Seismic waves
are propagating vibrations that carry energy from the source of an earthquake outward in all
directions. They travel through the interior of the Earth and can be measured with sensitive
detectors called seismometer.
Here is a sample design of an improvised seismometer that can be done with less amount
of time and effort but can perform the basic function of a real vertical and horizontal
seismometer.
The materials and the procedures for both horizontal and vertical seismometer are the
same, the only difference is the orientation or alignment.

MATERIALS:
Kiln dry board wood kiln dry wood stick

Thermal paper Paper clip

Sand paper wood glue

Hot melt glue balloon stick

Screws hinges

Hook screws Ruler

Foam paper carton

Pen / marker electrical tape

dc motor (5.9 volts) switch

Electrical wires dry cell batteries

Tools:
SCISSORS screw driver

Pliers hammer

saw glue gun

Procedure:
1. Cut a 15 x 6.5 piece of kiln dry board wood for the base of the seismometer and two
pieces of 5 x 2.5 for the support of the pen.
2. Smooth the pieces of wood using sand paper.
3. Glue the two 5 x 2.5 back to back and fixed it at the center of one edge of the base
using the hinges.

4. Cut two pieces of 2 length wood stick for the support of the thermal paper.
5. Place a screw on both sticks, in which the screws go beyond the other side of the stick
for it to hold the paper.

6. Fix the two sticks at the base with enough distance for the thermal paper to fit in
between them.
7. Cut a balloon stick, wrap the ends using the electrical tape so the thermal paper will
not move sideward.
8. Fix the balloon stick with the thermal paper in between of the two wood sticks.

9. Glue the paper clip at one end of the ruler, then insert the other end between the
supports.

10. Cut two pieces of 2 length wood stick. Glue each other in which the orientation of
one stick is vertical while the other one is horizontal. Make two pieces then fixed it
with a distance from each other at the front of the thermal paper.

11. Place two pieces of screw hook on the sticks closely on top of each other.
12. Cut two pieces of 4.5 length balloon stick and foam paper. Wrap the foam paper
around the balloon stick.

13. Place the two sticks at the screw hooks to make it hanging close to each other.

14. Glue the tip of a balloon stick on a DC motor then connect it with the lower stick to
make the rotation.

15. Connect the motor to 4 dry cell batteries and a switch and fixed it on the base of the
seismometer using hot melt glue. Tape the wires so that it will not lose the connection.
 16. Cut pieces of cartons then paste it a little close to the edge of the base to serve as
guide to the paper.

17. Lastly, place the pen on the paper clip whereas the tip of the pen touches the thermal
paper. The seismometer is ready! Just simply press on the switch and it will record
movements caused by earthquakes.

For vertical seismometer, the principles and materials used are the same as to the
horizontal one. The only difference is the orientation. Here is the sample finished vertical
seismometer:
DOCUMENTATION:

Laying out the measurements and cutting the desired dimensions of wood.

Putting together the supports and the base.

Fixing the supports of the thermal paper onto the base.

 Putting the sticks and testing its rotation for the movement of the paper.

Gluing the tip of the balloon stick to the motor and connecting it to the rotating sticks.

Connecting the motor to the batteries and switch and fixing it in the base.

Measuring and cutting cartons for the guide of the paper.

Drilling holes for the holder of the paper of the vertical seismometer.

Putting up designs on the seismometer.

Horizontal and vertical seismometer almost complete.