Numerical reactor core models need to represent higher levels of degradation of the graphite components in order to assess the tolerability of the cores to seismic events. These higher levels of degradation push the current analytical methods to the limits of their applicability. The objectives of the shaking table programme at the University of Bristol, centred on a multi-layer array rig, are to provide experimental validation for the existing and planned AGR core seismic methods and modelling representations, and to explore the phenomenological behaviour of degraded graphite components. This paper presents an update of the multi-layer array rig work with main aspects of rig and instrumentation development being addressed. The decisions made during the experimental design with regard to the array configuration, instrumentation and dynamic inputs are discussed. Several relevant results from the rig commissioning activities are presented.