Developed an anti-seismic system to be applied to the foundations of buildings to neutralize the effects of earthquakes. It was created by an INGV research team in collaboration with the University of Messina.
The research results were published in the Journal of Applied Physics
Highly innovative anti-seismic systems, capable of neutralizing the effects of earthquakes right from the foundations of buildings. They were developed by a research group from the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) in collaboration with the Departments of Engineering and Mathematical and Computer Sciences, Physical Sciences and Earth Sciences of the University of Messina. The results of the Seismic isolation of buildings using composite foundations based on metamaterials study, which has filed two national and three international patents, have been published in the Journal of Applied Physics of the American Institute of Physics, AIP (Link).
“These are modular anti-seismic devices”, explains Massimo Chiappini, Research Director of the Roma2 Section of INGV and coordinator of the working group, “based on the use of metamaterials for the so-called composite foundations (Seismic Metamaterial Composite Foundation) which allow cage the seismic waves and neutralize the effects of the shock on the building, avoiding structural collapses and collapses that would put human life at risk".
A device specially created in the laboratory to have peculiar mechanical properties which depend not only on its internal structure, but also on its manufacturing geometry.
"It is a modular system applicable to the foundations of buildings, based on the dynamics of metamaterials placed in special housings, where the internal masses compensate for the oscillations of the entire foundation when subjected to seismic stress", continues Chiappini.
The construction technique adopted is applied to new buildings, but researchers are already studying similar technologies for the anti-seismic adaptation of existing buildings.
"This innovative system", concludes the Research Manager, "will kick off a strong renewal both in the building and shipbuilding sector, creating an induced activity in numerous strategic sectors of the new construction market, and in anti-seismic prevention with risk mitigation strategies . The technological demonstrator, already built and tested on a vibrating table in the laboratory at the Turin Polytechnic, filters over 60% of the energy of seismic waves for those frequencies that are harmful to buildings".
A prototype has already been developed following the funding of the National Operational Program (PON) Smart Cities project, called SIGLOD (Intelligent Support System for the Management and Localization of Landfills and Waste Management Plants, within the VII EU framework programme) coordinated by INGV. The Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) financed further developments through the SIES program (Strategic Initiatives for Environment and Security), conducted by INGV and the National Institute of High Mathematics (INDAM).
Top left a 3D model of the composite foundation, right a real prototype where the internal masses are visible; on the bottom left a single module and on the right the entire device during laboratory tests. T1 is the base plate and T4 the foundation of the building
INGV researchers work in collaboration with the University of Messina (Departments of Engineering and Mathematical and Computer Sciences, Physical Sciences and Earth Sciences): Bruno Azzerboni, Giovanni Finocchio, Francesca Garescì and Orazio Casablanca