Seismic effects testing

Keywords reducing uncertainty, cost-effective information, ranking sources of uncertainty, re-processing seismic, interference tests, aquifer behaviour, % uncertainty, decision tree analysis, value of information, fiscal regime, suspended wells, phased development. 

Hydro projects, dams, bridges, naval equipment and any installations that aie prone to continuous shocks and vibrations also require their primary and secondary systems to have a better design and operational ability to withstand seismic effects or other ground/surface vibrations. No specific tests are presently prescribed for such applications. But response spectra can be established even for such locations and the primary and secondary systems analysed mathematically or laboratory tested. 

In Section 14.6 we have provided a brief account of such disturbances as well as the recommended tests and procedures to verify the suitability of critical enclosures and bus systems for locations that are earthquake-prone. For this the user is required to provide the manufacturer with the intensity of seismic effects at site of the installation in the form of response spectra (RS). (See Section 14.6.)... 

The GDC S are specifically addressed in Section 3.1 of CESSAR-DC. Items such as pre-operational vibration and dynamic effects testing on piping, seismic qualification testing of... 

ASCE 7-10 requires that the stiffness and damping values for the isolation system used in analysis and design are based on physical tests of the isolation devices. Such testing can be divided into either prototype tests or production tests. Prototype tests are conducted on two identical units or each isolator type in order to establish adequate performance under the entire range of possible demands to which the isolators may be subjected. These tests are prescribed to characterize the behavior of each device under wind loads and both the DE and MCE levels of seismic intensity. These tests much consider maximum and minimum expected axial loads considering both gravity and seismic effects. The prototype test program prescribed by ASCE 7-10 is as follows ... 

A large amount of carpet waste is disposed of in landfills each year. This not only poses economical and environmental problems to the industry, it also represents a severe waste of resources because the waste material can prove to be valuable for construction applications. This study focused on the use of carpet waste fibers in fiber reinforced concrete and demonstrated that such reinforcement can effectively improve the shatter resistance, toughness, and ductility of concrete. Performance enhancement has also been observed in the drying shrinkage test. Such improvements in concrete performance is especially beneficial for concrete structures in seismic zones as the increased toughness could improve the reliability and shock resistance of the structures. 

Dynamic loading problems in the offshore environment depend on either estimated or measured values of shear modulus. In practice, in situ determination of shear wave velocity on land has been used as the best approximation to the actual values for laboratory tests on samples (Richart, 1975). The techniques for using these seismic methods and data acquisition techniques to determine shear wave velocity for land-based applications have been well developed. The problem in the marine environment has been to develop methods to determine in situ shear wave velocity measurements both at the seabed surface and at known depths in the sediment column, which can be determined in a cost-effective manner. 

Towers and chimneys are among the most vulnerable structures in seismic excitation because of their slenderness. They can be tested according to Eurocode 8, part 3 Towers, masts and chimneys (2003). Support stays are often used to reinforce them against earthquake effects. 

The shaking table testing of a large scale model of a historic monument presented herein is a unique example in world practice. The knowledge gained, therefore, is valuable and necessary for the seismic strengthening of important cultural-historic structures, particularly in cases where the effect of interventions upon the authenticity of the monument is considered a priority. 

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