12/18/2014

Can a stack of computer servers survive an earthquake? - University at Buffalo

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The rack of servers shook, but did not fall, during a simulation that mimicked 80 percent
of the force of 1994's Northridge earthquake. (Credit: Cory Nealon)

Tests at the University at Buffalo show local seismic

isolation and damping methods can protect sensitive
electronic equipment
By Cory Nealon
Release Date: August 29, 2014
BUFFALO, N.Y. How do you prevent an earthquake

University Initiatives

from destroying expensive computer systems?

Awards

Thats the question earthquake engineer Claudia

M edia Advisories

M arin-Artieda, PhD, associate professor of civil

engineering at Howard University, aims to answer

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EBOLA VIRU S INFORMA TION

through a series of experiments conducted at the

University at Buffalo.

Athletics (UB Bulls)

The loss of functionality of essential equipment and

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components can have a disastrous impact. We can

limit these sorts of equipment losses by improving
their seismic performance, said M arin-Artieda, who
earned her doctorate from UB in 2007.

Here is a video of one of the tests, which

mimics 80 percent of the force of 1994's Northridge

earthquake: http://bit.ly/1lyO1aZ.

In buildings such
as data centers,
power plants
and hospitals, it
could be
catastrophic to
have highlysensitive
equipment
swinging,
rocking, falling
and generally
bashing into
things.

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In buildings such as data centers, power plants and

headlines, to interactive

hospitals, it could be catastrophic to have highly-

maps, dining and

sensitive equipment swinging, rocking, falling and generally bashing into things.

transportation
information, and a lot more

In high-seismic regions, new facilities often are engineered with passive

anytime, anywhere, right

protective systems that provide overall seismic protection. But often, existing

from your mobile device. Go

facilities are conventional, fixed-base buildings in which seismic demands on

mobile today!

sensitive equipment located within are significantly amplified. In such buildings,

sensitive equipment needs to be secured from these damaging earthquake

Get Mobile >

effects, M arin-Artieda said.

The stiffer the building, the greater the magnification of seismic effects, she
added.
"It is like when you are riding a rollercoaster, she said. If your body is relaxed,
you dont feel strong inertial effects. But if you hold your body rigid, youll feel
the inertial effects much more, and youll get knocked about in the car.
The experiments were conducted this month at the University at Buffalos
Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES), a shared network of
laboratories based at Purdue University.
M arin-Artieda and her team used different devices for supporting 40 computer

http://www.buffalo.edu/news/releases/2014/08/037.html

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12/18/2014

Can a stack of computer servers survive an earthquake? - University at Buffalo

servers donated by Yahoo Labs. The researchers attached the servers to a
frame in multiple configurations on seismically isolated platforms. They then
subjected the frame to a variety of three-directional ground motions with the
servers in partial operation to monitor how they react to an earthquake
simulation.
Preliminary work confirmed, among other things, that globally and locally
installed seismic isolation and damping systems can significantly reduce damage
to computer systems and other electronic equipment.
Base isolation is a technique that sets objects atop an energy-absorbing base;
damping employs energy-absorbing devices within the object to be protected
from an earthquakes damaging effects.
M arin-Artieda plans to expand the research by developing a framework for
analysis, design and implementation of the protective measures.
The research is funded by the National Science Foundation. In addition to
Yahoo Labs, industry partners include Seismic Foundation Control Inc., The VM C
Group, M inus K Technology Inc., Base Isolation of Alaska, and Roush Industries
Inc. All provided in-kind materials for the experiments.

Media Contact Information

Cory Nealon
News Content M anager, Computer Science, Economic Development,
Engineering, Sustainability
Tel: 716-645-4614
cmnealon@buffalo.edu
Twitter: @UBengineering

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