Researchers in Iran Build CFT Structures for Seismic Performance Assessment

Mohammad Reza Javaheri Tafti from the Islamic Azad University Taft Branch’s center, which is considered as the best earthquake research institute in West Asia, said that the center began with “Lightweight Steel Framing”-LSF.

“The steel laboratory of IAU Taft branch was established in the first phase. We equipped it with devices that performed tests based on LSF. LSF phases are ultra-light steel phases. The technology of this industry in Iran was designed by professors and faculty members at IAU-Taft branch,” he added. 

“In the second phase, we loaded gravity loads (vertical direction), which consist of wind and earthquake pressures. We placed metal and steel structures and building materials, structure that are used by students all over the country,” he added.

“The capacity of the jack in the second phase is 100 tons,” Javaehri further said.

“The third phase of the Earthquake and Structural Research Center of IAU-Taft Branch, is scheduled to be officially opened in February, 2024. This phase includes devices that carry out the necessary loads on CFT (Concrete Filled Steel TubeCFT) structures,” the IAU professor further explained.

“The final test of these devices is underway, therefor, we will officially unveil these devices and the doctoral and master's degree students across the country can use them,” the researcher further noted.

“The CFT machine is loaded on steel structures with a concrete core, and the most loading is done on these structures that bear the most pressure. Our jack capacity in the CFT structure is about 500 tons, which has no equivalent in the Middle East region.

The researcher noted that the Civil Engineering Department of IAU-Taft branch is planning to conduct earthquake simulations and tests, adding, "With this control of buildings, we will not witness the terrible things that happen in earthquakes,” Javaheri concluded.

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