Department of Industrial Products
In 2017 the EUCENTRE Foundation started a new laboratory, the 6DLAB, dedicated to the study and research in the field of non-structural elements (including complex installations such as those found in electrical and production systems) with the realization of a 6 degrees of freedom shake table.
There is growing awareness that even performance-based design, when limited to the structural side, is actually not sufficient neither to guarantee the safety conditions during a seismic event, nor to limit economic losses. The huge number of non-structural elements present in a building, which are indeed subject to the earthquake, constitute a source of hazard considering both safety aspects and costs. Below it is a list of some non-structural elements of interest:
Architectural
components
Infills
Ceilings
Partition walls
Floating floors
Façades systems
Architectural coatings
Plasters and finishes
Chimneys and parapets
Mechanical or electrical
equipment Sensors
Generators and UPS
HVAC units
Distribution panels
Switchboards
Transformers
Pipelines
IT room components
Building
content
Furnishing elements
Medical devices
Industrial racks
Computers
Wall equipments
Historical heritage objects
Dangerous substances
Shelving systems
With respect to the level of knowledge and experience in the field of seismic protection of structures, the research on non-structural elements, as well as the development of seismic-proof solutions are only at an initial stage. The Department of Industrial Products, also exploiting EUCENTRE national and international relations with academics, public institutions and private companies, wants to contribute to the growth of this engineering sector.
The 6 degrees of freedom shake table allows the execution of triaxial seismic qualification tests according to many internationally recognized standards, including:
- ICC-ES AC156:2019 – Seismic Certification by Shake-table Testing of Nonstructural Components;
- IEC 60068-2-57:2013 – Environmental testing – Part 2-57: Tests – Test Ff: Vibration – Time-history and sine-beat method;
- IEC 60068-3-3:2019 – Environmental Testing – Part 3: Guidance. Seismic Test Methods for Equipment;
- IEC 60980:1989 – Recommended practices for seismic qualification of electrical equipment of the safety system for nuclear generating stations;
- IEC 62271-207:2012 – High-voltage switchgear and controlgear – Part 207: Seismic qualification for gas-insulated switchgear assemblies for rated voltages above 52 kV;
- IEEE 693:2018 – Recommended Practice for Seismic Design of Substations;
- ISO 13033:2013-9.3.1-9.3.2 – Annex G – NSCS Verification by seismic qualification testing;
- IEC/IEEE 60780-323:2016 – Nuclear facilities – Electrical equipment important to safety – Qualification.
The accreditation of the laboratory, according to ISO/IEC 17025, allows operating at the highest quality standards adopting internationally recognized procedures.
