Seismic Behavior of Steel Storage Pallet Racking Systems

This book presents the mainoutcomes of the first European research project on the seismic behavior ofadjustable steel storage pallet racking systems. In particular, it describes acomprehensive and unique set of full-scale tests designed to assess such behavior.The tests performed include cyclic tests of full-scale rack components, namelybeam-to-upright connections and column base connections; static and dynamictests to assess the friction factor between pallets and rack beams; full-scalepushover and pseudodynamic tests of storage racks in down-aisle and cross-aisledirections; and full-scale dynamic tests on two-bay, three-level rack models.The implications of the findings of this extensive testing regime on theseismic behavior of racking systems are discussed in detail, highlighting e.g.the confirmation that under severe dynamic conditions “sliding” is the mainfactor influencing rack response. This work was conceived during thedevelopment of the SEISRACKS project. Its outcomes will contribute significantlyto increasing our knowledge of the structural behavior of racks underearthquake conditions and should inform future rack design.