Scientists at EUCENTRE (European Centre for Training and Research in Earthquake Engineering) have been given access to product lifecycle management (PLM) software from Siemens PLM Software to support seismology research. The software will be used for modelling and analysis, aiming to define the seismic behaviour of single structures, and to validate simplified models for evaluation of large-scale seismic risk. The ultimate aim of the research is to provide a concrete basis for the development of emergency plans and the improvement of intervention strategies and policies in the event of an earthquake.
'EUCENTRE has a fundamental role in coordinating project C.A.S.E. (Complessi Antisismici Sostenibili Ecocompatibili), for the construction of 180 seismically isolated buildings, using more than 7,000 isolation bearings, after the earthquake at L'Aquila,' said Barbara Borzi, head of the seismic risk section at EUCENTRE. Experimentation and numerical analysis are carried out at the research centre in order to both investigate and implement methodologies and innovative techniques for seismic assessment, and improve seismic design criteria.
Borzi added: 'Thanks to the advanced functionalities of Siemens PLM Software's solutions, we can build the finite element model more efficiently than with other software, meaning with reduced efforts and improved results. The software's ability to interface with different solvers, allows us to manage different kinds of non-linear analysis within the same instrument: an important added value for our activity.'
