Research of seismic restraints in mechanical installations

Mechanical systems are categorized as non-structural components of a building structure apart from columns, beams, carrier walls etc. These components can cause damages to themselves and surrounding components under seismic loads. Hence, seismic protection and earthquake safety precautions of mechanical systems are very essential for today?s structures. In this thesis, seismic restraint methods of various mechanical system equipments, project and application criteria are mentioned. Damages that will be caused by seismic motion can be reduced by restraining and/or fixing of non-structural components in proper ways and proper elements taking predicted seismic loads into account. The crucial point in deciding seismic loads and attachment types is to be careful about which attachment type should be considered for which component. Typical behavior of those components such as boilers, chillers, power generators, air handling units, fire suppression piping, cable trays play a major role here. It will be very effective to decide where to place any of these non-structural mechanical and/or electrical components of heating, cooling, air handling, fire protection systems during the project planning period of a building. These decisions will help the designing engineers to plan the most proper seismic safety measures while the building is being constructed. Therefore the corresponding components shall be safer against earthquakes in a simple and accurate way. Keywords: Earthquake, seismic restraint, vibration, mechanical systems