BMT-EI – EARTQUAKE ISOLATION TEST MACHINE
The BESMAK® BMT-EI Series Earthquake Isolation Test Machines are purpose-built for the rigorous, multi-axial testing of seismic protection devices, including base isolators and dampers. Adhering to standards such as EN 15129 and EN 1337, these systems are essential for evaluating critical components—like laminated rubber bearings and friction pendulum bearings—that shield structures from earthquake damage. BMT-EI machines simulate real-world seismic events by applying extreme vertical loads (up to tens of thousands of kN) simultaneously with large cyclic horizontal displacements. Tests typically require combining constant high compression with a superimposed cyclic shear load on bearings.
With force demands spanning 1,000 kN to over 30,000 kN, these are some of the most challenging tests in the industry. BESMAK’s decades of specialized experience in high-force dynamic testing guarantees that the BMT-EI series provides the precision and capability required for reliable results. This technology allows engineers to acquire vital performance data on how these isolation systems respond to varying frequencies and severe loading—data crucial for maximum structural safety during seismic activity.
Standards:
- EN-15129
- EN-1337
- Data acquisition and control loop speed: up to 10 kHz, capturing fast transient behaviors and ensuring stable control during dynamic tests.
- Rigid column-type reaction frame to support large vertical and lateral loads without deflection.
- Special double-acting, low-friction dynamic actuators to apply bi-directional cyclic loads with minimal hysteresis.
- Integrated BESMAK® universal simulation software for creating complex loading protocols, data logging, and analysis specific to seismic isolation testing.
- Displacement resolution: as fine as 1 μm, allowing precise control of small movements and strains.
- Vertical load capacity: up to 30,000 kN to simulate the weight of large structures on isolation bearings.
- Horizontal load capacity: up to 3,500 kN to apply realistic shear forces to bearings or dampers.
- Measurement accuracy: Class 0,5 (per ISO 7500-1) for both force and displacement measurements, even at extreme loads.
- Maximum test speed: up to 1000 mm/s to replicate fast seismic motions and velocities in components.
| Product Code | Product Name |
|---|---|
| BMT-4000/250EI | Servo Hydraulic Earthquake Isolator Test System, 4000 kN Vertical, 250 kN Horizontal Capacity |
| BMT-4000/1000EI | Servo Hydraulic Earthquake Isolator Test System, 4000 kN Vertical, 1000 kN Horizontal Capacity |
| BMT-4000/2000EI | Servo Hydraulic Earthquake Isolator Test System, 4000 kN Vertical, 2000 kN Horizontal Capacity |
| BMT-5000/1000EI | Servo Hydraulic Earthquake Isolator Test System, 5000 kN Vertical, 1000 kN Horizontal Capacity |
| BMT-6000/1000EI | Servo Hydraulic Earthquake Isolator Test System, 6000 kN Vertical, 1000 kN Horizontal Capacity |
| BMT-10000/2000EI | Servo Hydraulic Earthquake Isolator Test System, 10000 kN Vertical, 2000 kN Horizontal Capacity |
| BMT-12000/1200EI | Servo Hydraulic Earthquake Isolator Test System, 12000 kN Vertical, 1200 kN Horizontal Capacity |
| BMT-15000/1500EI | Servo Hydraulic Earthquake Isolator Test System, 15000 kN Vertical, 1500 kN Horizontal Capacity |
| BMT-15000/2000EI | Servo Hydraulic Earthquake Isolator Test System, 15000 kN Vertical, 2000 kN Horizontal Capacity |
| BMT-20000/2000EI | Servo Hydraulic Earthquake Isolator Test System, 20000 kN Vertical, 2000 kN Horizontal Capacity |
| BMT-20000/2500EI | Servo Hydraulic Earthquake Isolator Test System, 20000 kN Vertical, 2500 kN Horizontal Capacity |
BESMAK Servo-Hydraulic Earth-Quake isolator test system of capacity, with EN 15129 ve EN 1337 Standards.
- Earth-Quake isolator test system is consisting of dual axis loading with vertical capacity of 12000kN static/dynamic and horizontal capacity of 1200kN static/dynamic. Vertical and horizontal actuators are double acting.
- Horizontal loading axis consists of one actuator of with 1200 mm (±600 mm) stroke.
- Compression and tensile load of this actuator is equal due to double acting – double ended design.
- Earth-Quake isolator test system designed to test Earth-Quake isolators at variable horizontal frequency (1 Hz Max.) with +/- 200 mm and/or variable designed shear strain with constant frequency (1 Hz Max.), under constant vertical stress according to EN 15129 Standard.
Vertical actuator is designed to keep constant load / constant stress during the test while the horizontal actuators designed for variable frequency (1 Hz Max.) and variable displacement with 1256 mm/s dynamic test speed and 3 cycles with ±600 mm amplitude. This test system can also perform special cyclic loading tests. Frequency and displacement are adjustable/user defined within the speed limits of system.
With MTS Non-Contact electromagnetic SSI type position sensor (integrated inside the actuators), in the vertical and horizontal axis, user can measure and control displacement with 0.01mm sensitivity. In horizontal axis, the dynamic speed (test speed) of actuators is 1256 mm/s with 3 cycles. Horizontal and vertical actuators work in combination form. Due to this combination, during the test vertical load and/or stress (pressure) remain constant at all points of horizontal shear movement. The constant pressure or stress does not affect from any horizontal shear movement and change in area of sample due to special close loop PID control system.
According to ISO 7500-1 Standard, load control and measurement is made by load cell (horizontal actuators) and pressure transducer (vertical actuator) of class 1 or more accurate. In both axis, user can adjust loading speed with load control between 0.1 kN/s to 80 kN/s. Test system is feasible for special ramp loading, triangle loading, rectangle loading, sinusoidal loading and user defined loading process within the cycle and speed limits according to EN 15129 Standard.
Specially designed close loop and rapid cooling system will be provided with hydraulic unit of system to prevent oil from heating during the test.
