Earthquakes are, and have always been, a major threat to society in certain parts of the world. A very efficient method of protection is seismic isolation, where the superstructure is separated from the shaking ground by means of special devices. While seismic isolation of newly constructed buildings is very common, it is very difficult to implement in existing structures. In the latter case, individual protection of the most valuable objects, e.g., the statue of Hermes of Praxiteles at the museum of Olympia, is the most cost-efficient 
method. Apart from museum artefacts, sensitive equipment or whole areas in hospitals, laboratories or data centers can also be seismically protected to ensure their resilience. Such small-scale applications pose a significant challenge to the common seismic isolators used nowadays, e.g., the Lead Rubber Bearing (LRB) and the Friction Pendulum System (FPS). In particular, common isolators:
- are not fit for small vertical loads,
- fail to recenter properly and
- work only in the horizontal directions.
In this regard, the development of a new type of seismic isolator is warranted to address the aforementioned issues in a unified manner. The ongoing research on the field by the PI led to the invention of a novel geared rocking/rolling inverse pendulum system, which has 
already been patented with the Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation, certifying its novelty. The invention is cost-effective, easy to manufacture, simple in its function and addresses all three problems mentioned earlier. The invention is currently at Technology Readiness Level TRL3 (experimental proof of concept). Objective of the proposed research project is therefore the thorough theoretical, computational and experimental investigation of the aforementioned novel invention, which may lead to appropriate modifications and adjustments, and its development to Technology Readiness Level TRL6 (technology demonstrated in relevant environment).
Project Τitle: Three-dimensional seismic isolation of sensitive artefacts and equipment by Geared Rocking/Rolling Inverse Pendulum System
Project Duration: 17/03/2025 – 16/06/2029
Project URL: 3dgrips.eu
Project Framework & Funding: 3rd Call for H.F.R.I.’s Research Projects to Support Faculty Members & Researchers – 299,973.00 €
Scientific coordinator (UNIWA): Aristotelis E. Charalampakis, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering
Consortium – Partners: National Technical University of Athens (NTUA)
Research Publications / Results / Patents:
[1] Aristotelis Charalampakis, Georgios Tsiatas, Panagiotis Tsopelas. New rolling/rocking geared seismic isolation system for infrastructure and equipment, 6ο PSAMTS, 30/10-1/11/2025, Athens (article approved for publication).
