Prestigious Chinese university leverages state-of-the-art MTS testing technology and unmatched industry expertise to establish the world's largest, most sophisticated seismic simulation laboratory.
Fully operational since November 2024, the National Facility for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NFEES) on the Tianjin University campus in Tianjin, China, is the world’s largest and most advanced seismic simulation facility. Built over four years, the facility is a showcase of MTS innovation, including sophisticated motion controllers, advanced application software, precision, high-force test actuators, and state-of-the-art, triaxial (6DOF) shake tables. NFEES is engaged in a wide variety of studies, investigating the effects of earthquakes, waves, and tsunami events on buildings, bridges, tunnels, pier and port structures, hydraulic engineering systems, renewable energy systems, and offshore infrastructure. Data from these simulations are shared with researchers across the globe, with a goal of improving the safety and resilience of critical infrastructure in highly populated areas worldwide.
National Facility for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NFEES)
NFEES features a 16m x 20m shake table and 8m x 10m table-on-table for full-scale or near full-scale testing; and a pair of submersible 6 x 6-meter tables that can be configured for independent or synchronous testing in up to 3 meters of water. Tianjin University selected MTS for the NFEES systems and facilities designs, high-force actuator manufacturing, and test system installation, integration and commissioning due to its demonstrated expertise in seismic simulation, proven capacity to handle large-scale global projects, and very strong local presence in China.
National Facility for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NFEES)
NFEES features a 16m x 20m shake table and 8m x 10m table-on-table for full-scale or near full-scale testing; and a pair of submersible 6 x 6-meter tables that can be configured for independent or synchronous testing in up to 3 meters of water. Tianjin University selected MTS for the NFEES systems and facilities designs, high-force actuator manufacturing, and test system installation, integration and commissioning due to its demonstrated expertise in seismic simulation, proven capacity to handle large-scale global projects, and very strong local presence in China.
16m x 20m Table: stationary; triaxial; 1350 ton payload; 0.1–25 Hz; driven by 28 horizontal (±2500 kN) and 18 vertical (±4500 kN) actuators achieving ±1.0/±0.5 m displacement, ±1.5/±0.7 m/s velocity, ±1.5g/±2.0g acceleration.
8m x 10m Table-on-Table: add-on for boosting 16m x 20m table operational frequency; driven by 24 horizontal and 16 vertical actuators with static support provided by 30 air springs; features reaction frame with onboard hydraulic distribution.
6m x 6m Underwater Tables: one fixed, one moveable; triaxial; 150-ton payloads; 0.1–60 Hz; each driven by 4 horizontal (±800 kN) and 4 vertical (±2500 kN) actuators achieving ±0.5/±0.3 m displacement, ±1.5/±0.7 m/s velocity, ±1.5g/±2.0g acceleration.
