PSI - Issue 78

Alessandra Marino et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 78 (2026) 1753–1758

1758

5. Active protection systems These systems do not control any process but actually come into play when it is not possible to control a process through normal means. They are usually installed as protective measures. The smart implementation of active protection systems requires them to be connected to a smart net of communication and activation systems. Eventually, active protection systems may be installed for the shut-off or for safety condition of plants also for earthquakes, if a sufficient time is allowed for the seismic wave to reach the industrial installation. The design and maintenance of an active protection systems present a special challenge created by the infrequent need for these systems to act; on the other hand, the safety system must be available to operate whenever needed. 6. Conclusions The “smart” application of NaTech management technologies, from early warning to active protection, allows to upgrade the safety conditions of existing industrial plants implemented as a retrofit solution, avoiding heavy and expensive structural actions. At the same time the smart application of technologies allows the effective and reliable design on new industrial plants Taking into account that the earthquake affects the entire plant and the safety systems (as extinguishing water supply and power lines) at the same time, smart technologies allow the simultaneous monitoring and control toward seismic events. There are still some issues: - False alarm and cry-wolf issues can be managed if thresholds (for example PGA) are considered; - The assessment of the risk of plants, the identification of critical elements and the quantification the eventual benefits. Anyway, it is evident that smart technologies can play a relevant role in NaTech management. Systems like EW and Active protection systems can be effectively used to reduce the seismic risk of an existing process plant and even more in the design of a 4.0 Industry process plant. References HAZUS, 2001. Earthquake Loss Estimation Methodology. National Institute of Building Science, Risk Management Solution, Menlo Park, CA, USA. Marino A., Ciucci M., Paolacci F., 2017. Smart technologies for integrated natural risk management: innovative methodologies and remote sensing. ASME – PVP 2017 Waikoloa (HI, USA) Marino A., Ciucci M., 2019. Smart approach to integrated natural risks management for Industry 4.0. SPIE Smart Structures + Nondestructive Evaluation, Denver (CO, USA). Paolacci F., Quinci G., Nardin C., Vezzari V., Marino A., Ciucci M., 2021. Bolted flange joints equipped with FBG sensors in industrial piping systems subjected to seismic loads. Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries, Volume 72, September 2021, 104576. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlp.2021.104576. IF 3.66 Marino A., Ciucci M., 2022. Smart Technologies for Integrated NaTech Risk Management in Major Hazard Industrial Plants. Proceedings of the 32nd European Safety and Reliability Conference (ESREL 2022) 28th August – 1st September 2022, Dublin, Ireland doi:10.3850/978-981 18-5183-4_R27-02-268-cd Ciucci M., Marino A. et al., 2022. Utilization of a sensor array for the risk-aware navigation in industrial plants at risk of NaTech accidents. Proceedings of the ASME 2022 Pressure Vessels & Piping Conference PVP2022 July 17-22, 2022, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA PVP2022 84014. PVP 2022; V005T08A015 doi:https://doi.org/10.1115/PVP2022-84014