Design multi-story building prototypes that absorb the destructive effects of seismic waves, maintain structural integrity and safely preserve the payload inside.
Competitors are tasked with designing multi-story building prototypes that absorb the destructive effects of seismic waves (earthquakes), maintain structural integrity and safely preserve the payload inside.
The competition is conducted on a professional shake table and evaluated by a VIP jury panel.
Balsa wood or basswood sticks for the main frame; thin MDF or plexiglass (max. 3 mm thickness) for floor surfaces.
Teams are free to use 3D-printed custom connectors or springs to build seismic isolators, tuned mass dampers or shock absorber systems.
The top floor must have an open area in the center where a 250 g seismic test block (metal cylinder) placed by the jury can stand without being fastened.
The competition is conducted on a professional shake table and consists of 3 stages.
The building is measured with calipers and a precision scale. Buildings that pass inspection are locked to the shake table's center via 4 bolt slots at their base.
The team explains their seismic damping strategy (cross-bracing, base isolation, flexible joints, etc.) to the VIP jury in engineering language.
A 250 g test block is placed on the top floor and the motorized shake table is activated. 3 difficulty levels are applied:
Low-frequency wave. Mild shaking; the building is expected to withstand without entering resonance.
Medium frequency and lateral impact. Shaking intensifies with sudden horizontal shocks added.
Maximum acceleration "Destruction Mode". The stage where the shake table runs at full capacity.
Level achievements, lightness bonus and jury score are combined.
Level 1 undamaged pass: +20 Points. Level 2 undamaged pass: +30 Points. Level 3 (Destruction Mode) survived: +50 Points.
Among teams that pass all levels, the top 3 lightest buildings receive +20, +15 and +10 Points respectively.
Use of an innovative damping system (e.g. moving base isolators) and professional presentation to the jury are evaluated.
If the 250 g test block on the top floor falls during shaking, the test is stopped immediately. The team only receives points for levels completed up to that moment.
Test StoppedIf the building remains tilted more than 15 degrees from vertical after the seismic wave stops (permanent structural damage), points are deducted from the total score.
-20 PointsCompletely coating the building with epoxy resin solely to rigidify rather than flex it is a cause for disqualification.
DisqualifiedTake your place on the Atlantia STEM Olympiad stage with your seismic engineering vision.