DEVELOPMENT OF THE EUROPEAN STANDARD ON ANTISEISMIC DEVICES

In recent years, the European techno-scientific community has been called upon to make great efforts to draft building codes: the so called EUROCODES. Each of the latter, has required in turn the drafting of Standards on the design and manufacturing requirements of specific devices such as structural bearings, pre-stressing systems, etc. Within this framework, Sub-Committee TC 167 - SC 1 - ANTISEISMIC DEVICES was constituted. The scope of this sub-committee is to proceed with the standardization of antiseismic devices for use in structures erected in seismic areas in accordance with EUROCODE 8. Antiseismic devices include shock-transmitters, isolators, hydraulic dampers, etc. As it is well known, antiseismic devices were developed within the last two decades; above all, in relation to the dissemination of the "Seismic Isolation" concept, but they have found valid employment in other seismic strategies. The paper illustrates the structure of the European Standard, the criteria adopted in its drafting, the procedures to follow for its approval, and some of the aspects which render this document innovative.