TRaC and Bristol University strengthen partnership on Earthquake Testing

TRaC is the only test house in the UK that can offer Seismic Qualification by Analysis, Test or a combination of the two to verify the resilience of structures and equipment with respect to earthquake vibration and shock. The University's Bristol Earthquake Engineering Laboratory has a unique – in the UK – triaxial earthquake test facility that can subject test samples to an accurate simulation of earthquake acceleration waveforms.

Chris Stone has applied his expertise to a large number of projects within the UK and internationally, and within the UK. Although the UK is not generally thought of as an earthquake-prone region, certain facilities – such as nuclear plant, power, oil, gas and defence and telecommunication installations – nevertheless have to demonstrate that they can withstand earthquakes. Chris Stone regularly lectures on the practical considerations of earthquake testing, based on his experience of seismic qualification test programmes on equipment that is currently in service in seismically active regions around the world.

With this appointment, and with the established cooperation between TRaC and the University of Bristol, engineers have access to a unique seismic qualification service located in the UK that can determine and confirm the ability of a wide range of equipment destined for deployment anywhere in the world, to survive earthquake events. TRaC can work with the relevant Design Authority to produce a seismic Qualification Test Plan, which may involve Finite Element Analysis, Physical Testing or both. The Physical Test facilities at BEELAB include a 3m by 3m, 6-axis shaking table which can carry a payload of up to 15 tonnes.