Multi-hazard engineering seeks to quantify the effects of combined catastrophic events – natural and human-caused – on structural performance in order to improved building codes and designs, develop new analysis methods and formulate more meaningful and effective approaches to disaster risk assessment and mitigation.
As a premier global supplier of mechanical test and simulation solutions, MTS stands uniquely qualified to deliver the technologies and expertise needed to support the emerging field of multi-hazard engineering.
For more than five decades, MTS has worked with the world’s top civil engineering research institutions, developing and refining advanced mechanical test and simulation systems for studying the performance of civil and natural infrastructure under real-world conditions in controlled and repeatable laboratory settings. These systems comprise the ideal solution set for generating the scalable, high-fidelity reproductions of structural wind and fire, earthquake, tsunami/wave and blast events needed to pursue meaningful multi-hazard engineering.
Structural Wind & Fire
For researchers studying the effects of high winds or heat and fire on the integrity of civil structures, the MTS multi-hazard solution set provides advanced systems integration expertise and a comprehensive portfolio of modular structural test system components for building turnkey, application-specific test rigs. High-performance MTS components are deployed in test rigs worldwide to meet a diverse range of civil structural test applications, spanning building materials, components, and model- and full-scale civil structures. Engineered for seamless integration, they include robust MTS test actuators, reliable MTS hydraulic power generation and distribution systems, advanced FlexTest® controls, full-featured MTS application software and innovative lab efficiency tools.
Earthquake
Encompassing a broad spectrum of seismic testing needs, the MTS multi-hazard solution set features a host of standard, pre-engineered and custom solutions for evaluating the behavior of everything from nonstructural infrastructure to structural components and model- and full-scale structures under true earthquake conditions.
The MTS Seismic Simulator, or shake table offering includes standard uni- and biaxial tables in compact 1.5 and 3.0 meter2 configurations; pre-engineered six degrees-of-freedom (6DOF) tables in 4.0 or 5.0 meter2 configurations; very large, custom 6DOF tables; and numerous special-purpose configurations for evaluating very large civil structures or simulating very specific seismic phenomena.
Custom MTS Seismic Bearing Testing Systems are used for conducting multi-axial performance tests and research on full-scale seismic isolation bearings. These systems comprise a self-reacting frame anchored in a fixed foundation of reinforced concrete and feature a massive test platen driven by multiple servohydraulic linear actuators.
Custom Multi-Axial Subassemblage Testing Systems incorporate high-performance MTS servohydraulics and advanced controls to enable six-degree-of-freedom (6DOF) quasi-static and dynamic testing of large-scale specimens, including beams, columns, frame systems, walls, bridge piers, abutments and other structures and components.
Originally designed for automotive vibration testing, standard MTS MAST hexapod systems are ideally suited for seismic certification testing of nonstructural equipment and infrastructure, such as generators, HVAC systems, storage shelves, wall-mounting brackets, etc. The system employs advanced MTS controls and application software to fulfill the narrow test parameters set forth in seismic certification codes, keeping data acquisition and time history generation processes tightly synchronized.
Tsunami/Wave
To support research into tsunami and coastal hazards and study the effects of waves on fixed and floating structures, the MTS multi-hazard solution set includes two varieties of custom wave generators. 2D Wave Flumes feature long, narrow passages for generating the higher waves needed to simulate long-term coastal erosion and test how coastal structures are affected by tsunami wave forces. 3D Wave Basins feature multiple actuator panels to help researchers better understand complex, three-dimensional wave phenomena and its effects on off-shore structures, ships or other floating structures.
Blast Solutions
MTS Hydraulic Blast Simulators enable the high-fidelity replication of explosions in controlled, repeatable laboratory settings without the use of high explosives. This custom system employs four high-force blast generators (BGs) that propel steel plates equipped with contoured elastomeric springs into a test specimen at high velocity. Each BG is capable of accelerating an impacting mass to 30 m/s and producing a 1 to 5 ms pulse with a typical peak pressure loading of 35 MPa and an impulse of 14 kPa-s over the surface of the specimen.
Civil Hybrid Simulation Solutions
The MTS multi-hazard solution set extends beyond mechanical test solutions to include an array of proven civil hybrid simulation solutions. By combining physical testing of substructures with computer models of the remainder of the structure, hybrid simulation technology provides a complete picture of how catastrophic events affect large structures such as buildings and bridges without having to physically test the entire structure. MTS is the only testing solution provider offering turnkey, end-to-end solutions for both quasi-static and real-time hybrid simulation applications. The MTS quasi-static hybrid simulation solution is used to evaluate substructures or components that predominantly contribute stiffness and strength to the complete structure. The MTS real-time hybrid simulation solution is used to evaluate substructures or components that contribute damping or inertia effects to the complete structure.
Facilities Planning
MTS fields the most experienced worldwide service, support and consulting staff of any mechanical testing solution provider. This global team can provide the facilities planning expertise required to ensure that your test laboratory is properly configured at the outset to readily accommodate all your foreseeable multi-hazard testing activities. This consulting spans a wide range of considerations, including:
- Hydraulic power generation and distribution
- Foundation and strong floor design
- Floor plan efficiency
- Hose and cabling schemes
- Electrical power requirements
- Materials and equipment handling
Contact us today and explore how state-of-the-art MTS solutions can help meet your multi-hazard test and simulation needs with speed, efficiency and confidence.
As a premier global supplier of mechanical test and simulation solutions, MTS stands uniquely qualified to deliver the technologies and expertise needed to support the emerging field of multi-hazard engineering.
For more than five decades, MTS has worked with the world’s top civil engineering research institutions, developing and refining advanced mechanical test and simulation systems for studying the performance of civil and natural infrastructure under real-world conditions in controlled and repeatable laboratory settings. These systems comprise the ideal solution set for generating the scalable, high-fidelity reproductions of structural wind and fire, earthquake, tsunami/wave and blast events needed to pursue meaningful multi-hazard engineering.
Structural Wind & Fire
For researchers studying the effects of high winds or heat and fire on the integrity of civil structures, the MTS multi-hazard solution set provides advanced systems integration expertise and a comprehensive portfolio of modular structural test system components for building turnkey, application-specific test rigs. High-performance MTS components are deployed in test rigs worldwide to meet a diverse range of civil structural test applications, spanning building materials, components, and model- and full-scale civil structures. Engineered for seamless integration, they include robust MTS test actuators, reliable MTS hydraulic power generation and distribution systems, advanced FlexTest® controls, full-featured MTS application software and innovative lab efficiency tools.
Earthquake
Encompassing a broad spectrum of seismic testing needs, the MTS multi-hazard solution set features a host of standard, pre-engineered and custom solutions for evaluating the behavior of everything from nonstructural infrastructure to structural components and model- and full-scale structures under true earthquake conditions.
The MTS Seismic Simulator, or shake table offering includes standard uni- and biaxial tables in compact 1.5 and 3.0 meter2 configurations; pre-engineered six degrees-of-freedom (6DOF) tables in 4.0 or 5.0 meter2 configurations; very large, custom 6DOF tables; and numerous special-purpose configurations for evaluating very large civil structures or simulating very specific seismic phenomena.
Custom MTS Seismic Bearing Testing Systems are used for conducting multi-axial performance tests and research on full-scale seismic isolation bearings. These systems comprise a self-reacting frame anchored in a fixed foundation of reinforced concrete and feature a massive test platen driven by multiple servohydraulic linear actuators.
Custom Multi-Axial Subassemblage Testing Systems incorporate high-performance MTS servohydraulics and advanced controls to enable six-degree-of-freedom (6DOF) quasi-static and dynamic testing of large-scale specimens, including beams, columns, frame systems, walls, bridge piers, abutments and other structures and components.
Originally designed for automotive vibration testing, standard MTS MAST hexapod systems are ideally suited for seismic certification testing of nonstructural equipment and infrastructure, such as generators, HVAC systems, storage shelves, wall-mounting brackets, etc. The system employs advanced MTS controls and application software to fulfill the narrow test parameters set forth in seismic certification codes, keeping data acquisition and time history generation processes tightly synchronized.
Tsunami/Wave
To support research into tsunami and coastal hazards and study the effects of waves on fixed and floating structures, the MTS multi-hazard solution set includes two varieties of custom wave generators. 2D Wave Flumes feature long, narrow passages for generating the higher waves needed to simulate long-term coastal erosion and test how coastal structures are affected by tsunami wave forces. 3D Wave Basins feature multiple actuator panels to help researchers better understand complex, three-dimensional wave phenomena and its effects on off-shore structures, ships or other floating structures.
Blast Solutions
MTS Hydraulic Blast Simulators enable the high-fidelity replication of explosions in controlled, repeatable laboratory settings without the use of high explosives. This custom system employs four high-force blast generators (BGs) that propel steel plates equipped with contoured elastomeric springs into a test specimen at high velocity. Each BG is capable of accelerating an impacting mass to 30 m/s and producing a 1 to 5 ms pulse with a typical peak pressure loading of 35 MPa and an impulse of 14 kPa-s over the surface of the specimen.
Civil Hybrid Simulation Solutions
The MTS multi-hazard solution set extends beyond mechanical test solutions to include an array of proven civil hybrid simulation solutions. By combining physical testing of substructures with computer models of the remainder of the structure, hybrid simulation technology provides a complete picture of how catastrophic events affect large structures such as buildings and bridges without having to physically test the entire structure. MTS is the only testing solution provider offering turnkey, end-to-end solutions for both quasi-static and real-time hybrid simulation applications. The MTS quasi-static hybrid simulation solution is used to evaluate substructures or components that predominantly contribute stiffness and strength to the complete structure. The MTS real-time hybrid simulation solution is used to evaluate substructures or components that contribute damping or inertia effects to the complete structure.
Facilities Planning
MTS fields the most experienced worldwide service, support and consulting staff of any mechanical testing solution provider. This global team can provide the facilities planning expertise required to ensure that your test laboratory is properly configured at the outset to readily accommodate all your foreseeable multi-hazard testing activities. This consulting spans a wide range of considerations, including:
- Hydraulic power generation and distribution
- Foundation and strong floor design
- Floor plan efficiency
- Hose and cabling schemes
- Electrical power requirements
- Materials and equipment handling
Contact us today and explore how state-of-the-art MTS solutions can help meet your multi-hazard test and simulation needs with speed, efficiency and confidence.