Abstract
Automated Rack Supported Warehouses, consisting of huge steel buildings offering optimized storage solutions, have been facing a huge diffusion in the last decade, mainly due to the necessity of having bigger and more efficient places to stock and handle goods through automated systems. However, there is not a specific regulatory framework for them, and they are currently being designed to adopt the approach used for traditional steel racks. Even if traditional steel racks and ARSWs have several common aspects, there are relevant differences that do not allow to adopt the same design approach, especially for seismic actions. To highlight the factors and parameters currently influencing the seismic design and the behavior of these constructions, and the consequent need for a different design approach, the present paper presents a critical analysis of the seismic design approach currently adopted by technicians and designers. Then, a set of 5 structures designed by 5 of the major European companies specialized in this field is used to perform both the critical analysis of the different design approaches adopted and the assessment of the seismic performance. The seismic assessment results highlight the typical criticalities and the necessity of a novel proper design approach.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Affolter C, Piskoty G, Wullschleger L, Weisse B (2009) Collapse of a high storage rack. Eng Fail Anal 16(6):1846–1855. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfailanal.2008.09.011
Azadeh K, De Koster R, Roy D (2019) Robotized and automated warehouse systems: review and recent developments. Transp Sci 53(4):917–945. https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2018.0873
Baker J (2011) Conditional mean spectrum: tool for ground-motion selection. J Struct Eng 137(March):322–3311943. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0000215
Baldassino N, Bernuzzi C, Zandonini R (1999) Structural analysis of steel storage pallet racks. Stability and ductility of steel structures (SDSS’99). Elsevier, pp 465–475. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-008043016-4/50055-6
Baldassino N, Bernuzzi C, Zandonini R (2000) Experimental analysis on key components of steel storage pallet racking systems. Structural failure and plasticity. Elsevier, pp 859–864. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-008043875-7/50266-5
Becque J, Rasmussen KJR (2009a) Experimental investigation of the interaction of local and overall buckling of stainless steel i-columns. J Struct Eng 135(11):1340–1348. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0000051
Becque J, Rasmussen KJR (2009b) Numerical investigation of the interaction of local and overall buckling of stainless steel i-columns. J Struct Eng 135(11):1349–1356. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0000052
Bernuzzi C, Gobetti A, Gabbianelli G, Simoncelli M (2014) Warping Influence on the resistance of uprights in steel storage pallet racks. J Constr Steel Res 101(October):224–241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2014.05.014
Bové O, Casafont M, Ferrer M, López-Almansa F, Roure F (2020) Systemized structural predesign method for selective racks. J Struct Eng 146(12):04020276. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0002849
Bozorgnia Y, Abrahamson NA, Atik LA, Ancheta TD, Atkinson GM, Baker JW, Baltay A, Boore DM, Campbell KW, Chiou BS-J, Darragh R, Day S, Donahue J, Graves RW, Gregor N, Thomas Hanks IM, Idriss RK, Kishida T, Kottke A, Mahin SA, Rezaeian S, Rowshandel B, Seyhan E, Shahi S, Shantz T, Silva W, Spudich P, Stewart JP, Watson-Lamprey J, Wooddell K, Youngs R (2014) NGA-West2 research project. Earthq Spect 30(3):973–987. https://doi.org/10.1193/072113EQS209M
BS EN 16681:2016 Steel Static Storage Systems. Adjustable Pallet Racking Systems. Principles for Seismic Design (2016) https://www.En-Standard.Eu. 2016. https://www.en-standard.eu/bs-en-16681-2016-steel-static-storage-systems-adjustable-pallet-racking-systems-principles-for-seismic-design/.
BS EN 15512:2020 Steel Static Storage Systems. Adjustable Pallet Racking Systems. Principles for Structural Design (2020) https://www.En-Standard.Eu. 2020. https://www.en-standard.eu/bs-en-15512-2020-steel-static-storage-systems-adjustable-pallet-racking-systems-principles-for-structural-design/.
Caprili S, Morelli F, Salvatore W, Natali A (2018) Design and analysis of automated rack supported warehouses. Open Civil Eng J 12(1):150–166. https://doi.org/10.2174/1874149501812010150
Castiglioni CA, Kanyilmaz A, Bernuzzi C, Drei A, Degee H, Braham C, Hoffmeister B et al (2014) Seismic behaviour of steel storage pallet racking systems (SEISRACKS2): final report. Publications Office, Luxembourg
Degee H, Rossi B, Jehin D (2011) Geometrically nonlinear analysis of steel storage racks submitted to earthquake loading. Int J Struct Stab Dyn 11(05):949–967. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0219455411004415
Dinis PB, Young B, Camotim D (2014) Local–distortional interaction in cold-formed steel rack-section columns. Thin-Walled Structures 81(August):185–194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tws.2013.09.010
EOTA Technical Report TRO45 "Design of metal anchors for use in concrete under seismic action" (2013).
EOTA Technical Report TR029 "Post-installed fasteners in concrete under seismic action" (2016).
European Commission. Directorate-General for Research (2009) Storage Racks in Seismic Areas. Publications Office, LU
Federation Europeene de La Manutention. Section X. Recommendations for the Design of Steel Pallet Racking and Shelving (2000)
Gilbert BP, Rasmussen KJR, Baldassino N, Cudini T, Rovere L (2012) Determining the transverse shear stiffness of steel storage rack upright frames. J Constr Steel Res 78(November):107–116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2012.06.012
Godley MHR, Beale RG (2008) Investigation of the effects of looseness of bracing components in the cross-aisle direction on the ultimate load-carrying capacity of pallet rack frames. Thin-Walled Struct 46:848–854
Haque ABMR, Shahria Alam M (2015) Preliminary investigation on the overstrength and force reduction factors for industrial rack clad buildings. 11th Canadian Conference on Earthquake Engineering
Kanyilmaz A, Brambilla G, Chiarelli GP, Castiglioni CA (2016a) Assessment of the seismic behaviour of braced steel storage racking systems by means of full scale push over tests. Thin-Walled Struct 107(October):138–155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tws.2016.06.004
Kanyilmaz A, Castiglioni CA, Brambilla G, Chiarelli GP (2016b) Experimental assessment of the seismic behavior of unbraced steel storage pallet racks. Thin-Walled Struct 108(November):391–405. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tws.2016.09.001
Kesti J, Michael Davies J (1999) Local and distortional buckling of thin-walled short columns. Thin-Walled Struct 34(2):115–134. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0263-8231(99)00003-8
Kilar V, Petrovčič S, Koren D, Šilih S (2011) Seismic analysis of an asymmetric fixed base and base-isolated high-rack steel structure. Eng Struct 33(12):3471–3482. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2011.07.010
Kilar V, Petrovčič S, Koren D, Šilih S (2013) Cost viability of a base isolation system for the seismic protection of a steel high-rack structure. Int J Steel Struct 13(2):253–263. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13296-013-2005-6
Kondratenko A, Kanyilmaz A, Castiglioni CA, Morelli F, Kohrangi M (2021) Structural performance of automated multi-depth shuttle warehouses (AMSWs) under low-to-moderate seismic actions. Bull Earthq Eng. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-021-01193-y
Lerher T, Ficko M, Palčič I (2021) throughput performance analysis of automated vehicle storage and retrieval systems with multiple-tier shuttle vehicles. Appl Math Model 91(March):1004–1022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apm.2020.10.032
Lin T, Haselton CB, Baker JW (2013a) Conditional spectrum-based ground motion selection. Part I: hazard consistency for risk-based assessments: conditional spectrum-based ground motion selection-I. Earthquake Eng Struct Dynam 42(12):1847–1865. https://doi.org/10.1002/eqe.2301
Lin T, Haselton CB, Baker JW (2013b) Conditional spectrum-based ground motion selection. Part II: intensity-based assessments and evaluation of alternative target spectra: conditional-spectrum-based ground motion selection-II. Earthquake Eng Struct Dynam 42(12):1867–1884. https://doi.org/10.1002/eqe.2303
Liu S-W, Pekoz T, Gao W-L, Ziemian RD, Crews J (2021) Frame analysis and design of industrial rack structures with perforated cold-formed steel columns. Thin-Walled Struct 163(June):107755. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tws.2021.107755
MATLAB® Version (R2019b). Natick, Massachusetts: The MathWorks Inc.
Mazzoni (2017) The Open System for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (OpenSEES) User Command-Language Manual.
Morita K, Takayama M (2017) Lessons Learned from the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake: Building Damages and Behavior of Seismically Isolated Buildings’. In 020007. Penang, Malaysia. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5005638.
Pollino, M C, Gao Y, Michael R (2014) Seismic response and protection of steel storage rack palleted merchandise, 11.
‘PrEN 16681:2015 Steel Static Storage Systems - Adjustable Pallet Racking Systems - Principles for Seismic Design (2015)
PrEN 1993‐1‐3: 2019 Eurocode 3 - Design of Steel Structures - Part 1‐3: General Rules - Supplementary Rules for Cold‐formed Members and Sheeting. (n.d.)
‘PrEN 1998-1-2:2019. 3 Eurocode 8: - Design of Structures for Earthquake Resistance - Part 1–2: Rules for New Buildings (2019)
Proença J, Rosin I, Calado I, Direzione generale della Ricerca e dell’innovazione (Commissione europea) (2009) Storage Racks in Seismic Areas. Ufficio delle pubblicazioni dell’Unione europea, LU https://doi.org/10.2777/60886.
Roussis PC (2009) Study on the effect of uplift-restraint on the seismic response of base-isolated structures. J Struct Eng 135(12):1462–1471. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0000070
Sajja SR, Beale RG, Godley MHR (2008) Shear stiffness of pallet rack upright frames. J Constr Steel Res 64(7–8):867–874. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2008.01.025
Schafer BW (2000) Distortional buckling of cold-formed steel columns, 48.
Simoncelli M, Tagliafierro B, Montuori R (2020) Recent development on the seismic devices for steel storage structures. Thin-Walled Struct 155(October):106827. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tws.2020.106827
Smith FH, Moen CD (2014) Finite strip elastic buckling solutions for thin-walled metal columns with perforation patterns. Thin-Walled Struct 79(June):187–201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tws.2014.02.009
Talebian N, Gilbert BP, Baldassino N, Karampour H (2019) Factors contributing to the transverse shear stiffness of bolted cold-formed steel storage rack upright frames with channel bracing members. Thin-Walled Struct 136(March):50–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tws.2018.12.001
Takeuchi T, Yoshida M, Uchida M, Nishi O, Matsui R (2016) Application of seismic isolation bearings for rack warehouse to prevent goods falling. Journal of Structural and Construction Engineering (Transactions of AIJ) 81(721):629–637. https://doi.org/10.3130/aijs.81.629
The Rack Manufacturers Institute (1997) "Specification for the design, testing and utilisation of industrial steel storage racks". Material Handling Industry of America.
Tsarpalis D, Vamvatsikos D, Vayas I, Delladonna F (2021) Simplified modeling for the seismic performance assessment of automated rack-supported warehouses. J Struct Eng 147(11):04021189. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0003153
Tsarpalis D, Vamvatsikos D, Delladonna F, Fabini M, Hermanek J, Margotan P, Sesana S, Vantusso E, Vayas I (2022) Macro-characteristics and taxonomy of steel racking systems for seismic vulnerability assessment. Bull Earthq Eng. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-022-01326-x
Funding
This study is executed in the framework of STEELWAR research project that has received funding from the Research Fund for Coal and Steel under Grant agreement No 754102, which is gratefully acknowledged. Besides, the authors are grateful for the efforts and for the detailed work made by the two anonymous Reviewers that helped in significantly improving the quality of the paper.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors have not disclosed any competing interests.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Natali, A., Morelli, F. & Salvatore, W. On the seismic design and behavior of Automated Rack Supported Warehouses. Bull Earthquake Eng 21, 1081–1115 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-022-01566-x
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-022-01566-x