ADVANCING SEISMIC DESIGN AND ASSESSMENT THROUGH EXPERIMENTAL TESTING: INSIGHTS FROM THE ERIES PROJECT

Seismic design and assessment of structures hinge on accurately quantifying the non-linear behaviour of various structural and non-structural elements within the built environment. Experimental testing has become a cornerstone of earthquake engineering, providing invaluable insights into key structural behaviours that can be either designed for or mitigated against. This paper presents ongoing experimental activities at the Eucentre Foundation, under the auspices of the ERIES project, funded by the European Union. The project facilitates collaboration between research groups across Europe and leading research infrastructures as part of the transnational access and joint research initiative. The experimental facilities such as 9DLAB and MOBILAB at the Eucentre Foundation play a central role in these efforts, offering unparalleled flexibility, mobility, and adaptability in test setups—capabilities that are unique on a global scale. This study highlights several experimental research efforts, including the characterisation of the energy dissipation capacity of masonry infill walls and the exploration of sustainable retrofitting solutions for enhancing the capacity of rubble stone walls. Additionally, the paper discusses innovative in-situ testing of base-isolated buildings using a mobile shaking table. These advanced and adaptable experimental testing facilities not only deepen our understanding of the seismic behaviour of structures but also pave the way for new research directions in earthquake engineering. By harnessing these capabilities, researchers can better address the challenges of seismic resilience, leading to safer and more sustainable designs.