Europroteas

A large-scale prototype soil-foundation-structure system has been built in Euroseistest, named “EuroPro­teas”, a symbolic name from the derivatives “Euro” and “Proteas” - for the first of its kind large-scale model structure in Europe. EuroProteas is dedicated to studying soil - foundation - structure interaction (SFSI) and wave propagation in the soil and the structure.

EuroProteas is ideal for experimental SFSI investigation due to its unique configuration:

• Excellent knowledge of the physical, mechanical and dynamic properties of the soil
• Stiff structural system founded on soft soil to promote SFSI
• Steel moment frame for flexibility and ease of construction
• Reconfigurable bracing system for stiffness and damping modification
• Two distinct reinforced concrete roof slabs for structural mass modification, as well as for shaker and wire rope mounting
• Resonant frequency varying between 2.9Hz and 11.8Hz, depending on configuration
• Three-dimensional instrumentation with more than 80 instruments (accelerometers, seismometers, MEM sensors), on the structure and in the soil, covering a volume of 21x21x12m
• Two boreholes (30m and 12m), in the center of the foundation and 0.5m from the foundation, for placement of recording instruments and geophysical testing
•  Appropriate size for small-scale models in shaking tables and centrifuge apparatuses
•  Reconfigurable for forced-vibration, free-vibration and ambient noise measurements