PSI - Issue 44

Mariano Ciucci et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 44 (2023) 347–354 Mariano Ciucci, Valerio Vezzari, Alessandra Marino / Structural Integrity Procedia 00 (2022) 000–000

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6. Seismic protection of structures and pipelines The seismic protection of the structures is one of the most important goals of the structural engineers in order to minimize damages to structures in case of earthquakes. The absence of damage is of primary importance for some types of structures, such as a major hazard industrial plant. Passive seismic protection methodologies focus mainly on base isolation (see Fig. 6) and energy damping (see Fig. 7). The choice of the technique to apply is mainly based on requirements in term of protection, cost-benefit analysis and local situation. The methodologies can be applied either to existing industrial plants (mostly a retrofit measure through energy damping) and to new industrial plants design.

Fig. 7. base isolation systems

Fig. 8. energy damping systems.

For that concerns non-structural damages related releases of dangerous substances, elements like piping systems are especially vulnerable. A common cause of damage, especially in large industrial complexes, is differential movement between points of attachment. In order to protect those critical elements special seismic devices or design should be considered (see Fig. 8).

Fig. 9. pipeline seismic protection devices

Even seismic protection systems of structural and non-structural elements in industrial plants should be implemented in smart systems.