Earthquake Assessment of Existing Chemical Production Facilities

Abstract

Due to the introduction of the revised German Earthquake design standard DIN 4149 in 2005 [1] including a re-evaluation of earthquake loadings and the forthcoming introduction of the European Earthquake standard DIN EN 1998 (Eurocode 8) [2] the demands on the overall Earthquake structural design increases. As plant operators of Chemical production units governed by the Major Accidents Ordinance (Störfallverordnung) are obligated to operate their facilities in accordance to the latest state of the art safety standards the existing production facilities will need to be evaluated in regards to earthquake resistance. The Evaluation is based on the VCI-guideline [3] which provides in addition to DIN 4149 and DIN EN 1998 a basis of an Earthquake assessment and design principles for chemical production facilities due to Earthquake loading. This paper introduces the Earthquake assessment program of existing chemical production facilities that BASF-SE has undertaken in the past years on their production site in Ludwigshafen, Germany. Based on specific examples the assessment procedure for the initial evaluation of existing Chemical production facilities is presented. Furthermore experiences and results of already finalized assessments of more than 28 production units are summarized and recommendations are derived for further assessments.