The Laboratory of Earthquake engineering and Dynamic Analysis has been realised in the framework of the National Operational Programme “Research & Competitiveness” (PON “R&C”), 2007-2013 (cod. PONa3_00374), financed to the University of Enna “Kore” to realise an integrated Research, High Training and Innovation Centre with unique characteristics in the European context in the fields of Experimental Dynamics, Materials and Structures and Geotechnics and Soil Dynamics.
The L.E.D.A. Research Centre is located in the new scientific centre of the ‘Kore’ University of Enna, in the district of Santa Panasia in lower Enna.
The Laboratory of Earthquake engineering and Dynamic Analysis is equipped with a range of important scientific equipment that allows dynamic tests to be carried out in a wide range of frequencies and payloads, fully involving the civil, mechanical and aeronautical engineering sectors, the transport industry and the energy and defence sectors.
The main research infrastructure of the Experimental Dynamics Laboratory is the system of two six-degree-of-freedom vibration tables measuring 4 m by 4 m (Figure 5), which Bosch-Rexroth built especially for L.E.D.A.
The activities of the Experimental Dynamics Laboratory are aimed at developing research and teaching activities and consultancy services for third parties in the fields of Structural Science, Structural Engineering, Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering.
Topics of interest include the definition of the dynamic behaviour of traditional and innovative materials and scale and real-life structural models, the development of techniques for seismic risk mitigation and vibration control, the calibration of finite element models of complex structures, the study of methods for structural monitoring and the identification of incipient damage, and the study of intelligent structural systems.
These topics are transversal to all degree courses contained in the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture curriculum of the University of Enna “Kore” and the laboratory facilities are available to students for internships, dissertations, and PhDs.
The Experimental Dynamics Laboratory is also active in providing testing services and technical and scientific advice in Structural Engineering and the fields of Electrical Engineering, Energy, Defence and in support of companies and industries in the Civil Engineering sector.
The Experimental Dynamics Laboratory of the L.E.D.A. Research Centre has obtained ISO 9001:2015 certification for the field of activity: “Research, provision of technical and scientific consultancy services, design and provision of multidisciplinary experimental activities in structural testing (IAF34)”.
The Laboratory adopts an organisational model aimed at the constant monitoring and improvement of all aspects related to the quality of the processes that take place there, through the application of a management system organised according to a process approach.
The main objective of the Experimental Dynamics Laboratory is to provide excellent tools for teaching, research and consultancy activities in structural engineering.
The activities of the Laboratory are organised in the following main sections:
The Experimental Dynamics Laboratory is engaged in various theoretical, numerical, and experimental research activities briefly described below.
Internships, dissertations or research projects can be carried out on these topics on active PhD courses:
The experimental scientific research, teaching support and consultancy activities for third parties of the Experimental Dynamics Laboratory are carried out in various rooms with the scientific equipment described below:
The main research infrastructure of the Experimental Dynamics Laboratory consists of a system of two identical vibrating tables, 4 metres per side, with six degrees of freedom.
Reduced scale or life-size models can be made for seismic and dynamic analysis and qualification of structural systems, equipment, construction techniques, or devices for seismic risk mitigation.
The high performance of the control system allows both the separate use of the two tables and the joint use for experimentation on large structures subject to synchronous and asynchronous motions. In addition, the two vibrating tables can be rigidly connected to create a single six-degree-of-freedom seismic simulator with dimensions of 10×4 metres and a maximum payload of 100 tonnes.
Main features of the vibrating table system
| Feature | Single table | Coupled table |
| Dimensions | 4 x 4 m | 10 x 4 m |
| Payload | 60 tons | 100 tons |
| Operating frequency range | 0.01 ÷ 60 Hz | 0.01 ÷ 60 Hz |
| Stroke (horizontal axes) | ±400 mm | ±400 mm |
| Stroke (vertical axes) | ±250 mm | ±250 mm |
| Speed (horizontal axes) | ± 2.2 m/s | ± 1.1 m/s |
| Speed (vertical axes) | ± 1.5 m/s | ± 0.75 m/s |
| Acceleration (horizontal axes) | ± 1.5 g | ± 1.05 g |
| Acceleration (vertical axes) | ± 1.0 g | ± 0.7 g |
| Reversing moment | 60 ton∙m (triaxial test)
100 ton∙m (uniaxial test) |
100 ton∙m (uniaxial test)
100 ton∙m (uniaxial test) |
| Inspection system | Trio Sistemi RT3-S – 2 kHz position, speed and acceleration control loop | |
Main features of the Bosch-Rexroth hydraulic power unit:
| Feature | Value |
| Installed electrical power | 2500 kW |
| Motor-pump units | 8 units of 200 kW (vibrating tables) + 1 unit of 55 kW (pseudo dynamic) |
| Filtration and recirculation | 4 recirculation units for 74 kW |
| Power exchange cooling | 840 kW (ΔT = 10°C), 525 kW (ΔT = 5°C) |
| Tank size | 15000 l |
| Working pressure | 270 bar |
| Maximum pressure | 315 bar |
| Maximum flow rate (pumps) | 3200 l/min |
| Peak capacity (accumulators) | 14000 l/min |
| Oil cleanliness class (ISO 4406) | 17/15/12 l/min |
| Automated and remotely available central management PLC | |
The Experimental Dynamics Laboratory is equipped with two systems for testing at high accelerations and frequencies.
A TEAM Cube Model 2-DV-LS six-degree-of-freedom hydraulic test rig is available for multi-axis testing in the automotive, aerospace, transport and energy sectors.
Main features of the six-degree-of-freedom test bench:
| Feature | Value |
| Fixing area | 813 x 813 mm |
| Payload | 450 kg |
| Dynamic force | 62 kN |
| Frequency operating range | 0 ÷ 250 Hz |
| Stroke | X-axis: 100 mm, Y and Z axis: 50 mm |
| Acceleration (vacuum system) | X-axis: 10.7 g, Y-axis: 9.6 g, Z-axis: 9.7 g (Z) |
| Acceleration (at maximum payload) | X-axis: 9.2 g, Y-axis: 7.0 g, Z-axis: 8.2 g |
| Inspection system | Spectral Dynamics Jaguar MIMO control |
For some specialised applications in aerospace or impact testing, or when even higher acceleration and frequency performance is required, the LDS V875LS-440 uniaxial electromechanical shaker can be used.
Main features of the electromechanical shaker:
| Feature | Value |
| Payload | 600 kg |
| Dynamic force | 35.6 kN |
| Frequency operating range | 5 ÷ 3000 Hz |
| Stroke | 76 mm |
| Speed | 1.8 m/s |
| Acceleration (sinusoidal) | 110 g (sine peak), 100 g (rms random) |
| Inspection system | Brüel & Kjær VC-LAN controller Type 7542 |
In this section, research activities related to numerical simulation and experimentation on small-scale models are developed, useful for initial validation of the numerical models.
In addition, test benches are available for calibrating velocimeter and accelerometer sensors.
The equipment available in this section is:
The Experimental Dynamics Laboratory offers technical and scientific consultancy services for the experimental validation of construction techniques, of devices for the mitigation of vibrations or the seismic protection of structures and components, for the execution of structural response measurements in situ and the Laboratory.
In addition, the laboratory offers certification services according to the following international standards.
Address: Laboratory of Experimental Dynamics – L.E.D.A. Research Centre – Polo scientifico e tecnologico di Santa Panasia 9400 – Enna, Italy
Telephone: +39 0935 536 770
GPS coordinates: 37°32’23.1 “N 14°17’02.1 “E (37.539750, 14.283917)
Directions to the L.E.D.A. Research Centre:
Reach the Enna exit of the A19 Palermo-Catania motorway (about 120 km from Palermo and 72 km from Catania);
Università degli Studi di Enna “Kore” – Cittadella Universitaria – 94100 Enna (EN)
C.F.: 01094410865- PARTITA IVA COMUNITARIA: IT01094410865 – P.E.C.: protocollo@pec.unikore.it
Fatturazione elettronica – Codice Destinatario: KRRH6B9
Coordinate bancarie – IBAN IT97W0503616800CC0551777711 – SWIFT/BIC POPRIT 31055
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