METRO VENTILATION SYSTEM IN SEISMIC AREAS

Globally more people live in urban areas than in rural areas. By 2050 67% of the world’s population is projected to be in urban areas. This demographic datum clearly shows that future megalopolis will have to face a challenge in the urban traffic and surely the underground metro network will expand. The paper analyzes the main Countries in the world that have seismic risk and their codes/standards that are locally used. The analysis is carried out where a full document is available. Major attention will be placed on Europe where a common approach is available with Eurocode 8 (EN 1998-1 Design of Structures for Earthquake Resistance). The focus will be on the Italian Code NTC 2018, which is in line with Eurocode 8. The paper focuses on non-structural components and analysis of the equipment of the ventilation system concerning the seismic forces. Comments on the seismic forces in underground soil and analysis of data. General information regarding seismic tests on the vibration table is given to understand the feasibility of a seismic qualification of equipment. Where seismic requirements are limited to stability a static analysis is sufficient or a dynamic one still feasible, conversely where a functionality or operational status is required the preferred route leads to a seismic test.