The role of seismic simulators in earthquake engineering and public perception of structural safety

Abstract

Constructions located in various environmental conditions represent physical components of human habitat and earthquakes are often a cause of sudden damage and urban or rural destructuring. In the European Union the seismic safety of structures is ensured by Eurocodes and "performance-based design". However, many existing buildings, and even some newly designed, still have some vulnerabilities. Progress-based vision is undermined by the reality of some unexpected disasters (earthquakes L'Aquila 2009, Murcia-Lorca 2011, Emilia Romagna 2012 etc.). In Romania, constructions safety is achieved by adopting a new seismic design Code P100-1/ 2013, with a new zoning map of the Romanian territory in terms of design ground acceleration values, for earthquakes with mean recurrence interval IMR = 225 years. However, in spite of the automated computational techniques development, some illusion persist, considering that tests on simulators will be fully replaced by the advanced software. The reality of recent decades indicates that the number of shaking tables has increased, both in the European Union and in Japan, USA, China etc. PEER (USA), NERIES (FP6; 2006-2010) and NERA Projects have shown instead that tests are relevant even at small scale and the sophisticated numerical simulations and calculations are complementary. The experimental tests represent a method of investigation necessary to the development of new products and solutions and to performance evaluation of existing solutions. Also the public perception can be influenced positively by participating in such demonstrations.

Keywords

• safety structures
• seismic simulators