Author(s)

A. Martelli

Abstract

Over 10,000 structures have been protected in the world by seismic vibration passive control systems and devices, namely by seismic isolation and energy dissipation systems, shape memory alloy devices and shock transmitter units. Such structures are located mostly in Japan, but they are more or less numerous in about 30 further countries too, in particular in the People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation, the USA and Italy. Everywhere, the number of the aforesaid systems and devices is increasing more and more, although the extent of their use is strongly influenced by earthquake experience and the features of the design rules used. Applications concern both new and existing structures of all kinds: bridges and viaducts, civil and industrial buildings, industrial components and installations (including some high risk plants, such as nuclear reactors, other nuclear facilities and some Liquefied Natural Gas tanks) and cultural heritage (monumental buildings, museums, ceilings of archaeological excavations, museum display cases and single masterpieces). Those to civil buildings already include not only the strategic ones (emergency management centres, hospitals, etc.) and the public ones (schools, churches, commercial centres, hotels, airports, etc.), but also dwelling buildings and even many small private houses. This paper summarizes the progress of the application of the aforesaid systems and devices with respect to the state of the art that was presented by the author at the ERES 2007 International Conference. Particular attention is devoted to Italy and the other leading countries. Further information is provided by other papers. Keywords: passive control of vibrations, seismic isolation, energy dissipation, shape memory alloys, shock transmitters, seismic retrofit, buildings, bridges and viaducts, cultural heritage, liquefied natural gas tanks, nuclear reactors.

Keywords

passive control of vibrations, seismic isolation, energy dissipation, shape memory alloys, shock transmitters, seismic retrofit, buildings, bridges and viaducts, cultural heritage, liquefied natural gas tanks, nuclear reactors.