In this series of experiments the dynamic response of a single multi-drum column and of a portal structure (two multi-drum columns bridged by an epistyle) was explored. The experiments were conducted on the shaking table of the Soil Mechanics Laboratory of NTUA. The specimen was excited by a set of idealized pulses as well as real records from various earthquakes around the world. During the experiments a number of sensors were used to measure and record the accelerations, displacements and rotations of all the column parts. A database of results from a total of 125 tests was developed. Results provide valuable insight on the different aspects of response taking place for different characteristics of the base excitation.

The study concludes that: (a) typical multi-drum classical columns can survive the ground shaking from strong ground motions, (b) these structures are prone to out-of-plane oscillation due to their circular cross-section geometry, (c) the response of the columns is quite sensitive to minor changes in geometry or input motion and thus, the repeatability of rocking experiments is hardly feasible, (d) the portal structure (two columns bridged by an epistyle) seems to be more stable than the free-standing column, (e) the installation of stiff shear links in-between drums does not significantly improve the response of the multi-drum columns if not worsen it.