Seismic Vulnerability of Data Centers
Frederick F. Tajirian · 2009
Large global energy companies rely on the safe operation of data centers that are scattered around the world. These data centers sometimes consist of a few server racks supported on raised access floors installed in various types of buildings and located on various floors of the building. The data centers can also contain several thousands of square feet of raised computer floors housed in one or two stories of large commercial buildings, which are normally existing structures designed to meet the local building codes for office buildings (applicable at the time of construction). Often these centers are located in zones of moderate to high seismicity. Past earthquakes have demonstrated that data centers experience severe damage and loss of operations even in moderate, more frequently occurring earthquakes (Gould et al. 2003). This paper describes several approaches that have been assessed to enhance the post earthquake safety of data equipment. This includes designs that incorporate building seismic base isolation, passive energy dissipation devices, computer floor isolation, individual rack isolation and more conventional methods which rely on direct bolting of equipment. The advantages and disadvantages of each approach are summarized.