Methodology for seismic Qualification of Nonstructural Components

Now a days any Plant, Manufacturing Shop, Assembly shop etc. has variety of structures, system and equipment comprising of primary civil structure, secondary supporting structure, supporting systems and equipment viz. tanks, vessels, heat exchangers, piping, supports, valves, pumps, fans, blowers, motors, compressors, diesel generator etc. Seismic Analysis of Plant structural is to calculation of the response of structure to earthquakes. It is part of the process of structural assessment and retrofit in regions where earthquakes are prevalent. Seismic qualification of various systems generally done by two methodologies (1) Qualification by Testing: in which Qualification is performed by shake table testing, however shake table testing is not feasible for the systems with excessive weight and large size. (2) Qualification by analytical methods. In this method Analytical models is required to be developed for assembly/component. Generally Qualification done by Analysis in which FEA model is and checked under static condition after applying sufficient boundary condition and loading. Modal analysis done to find the natural frequency of the system. On the basis of that Harmonic and Transient analysis done and visualize the response of system under given condition in form of stress, deformation etc.