The Polo creates an earthquake simulator for "I don't take risks"

The Polo Manetti Porciatti of Grosseto is involved in the "I don't risk" campaign, organized by the Province and Municipality of Grosseto in Piazza Dante, with the aim of raising awareness of good practices in the event of disasters.

Together with the elements of Civil Protection, professional associations and associations, the Grosseto Technological Center has created great interest around its stand, thanks to the creation of a model capable of generating earthquakes of variable intensity, and therefore magnitude.

“Since last year - explain professors Andrea Lelli, head of the CAT, and Vincenzo Di Gennaro, head of the PCTO - we have been participating in this public initiative. This time we did it by deepening our commitment, through the organization and design of an earthquake simulator and the liquefaction effect, by getting all the school's departments to collaborate." “It was a question of joining forces - said Professor Vincenzo Iacobone -. The Mechanics specialization, through Solid Works, modeled and sized the structure of the simulator, while the CAT took care of the creation of the orographic model of the territory."

Drones were also brought to the square, used for aerial photogrammetric surveys. “Representing the territory - added Professor Gioele Rossi - through surveys with drones allows CAT students to understand the mechanisms and devastating effects of disruptions caused by natural agents.”

Meanwhile, Senator Simona Petrucci, member of the Environment Commission in the Senate, who spoke at the demonstration in Piazza Dante, impressed by the work done by the Polo students, invited the students to Palazzo Madama to show the machine that simulates earthquakes, in order to make it a national level project.

But what did this experience mean for the kids? “It was nice to participate - CAT student Francesca Attanasio replies enthusiastically - because we see the effects every day. Raising awareness is important to understand how to manage and not be caught unprepared.” “We worked very hard - echoes her colleague Alina Valentina Suciu - to arrive at the stairs with the cardboard models, then made with a 3D printer. This means applying our theoretical and technical knowledge to reality. A great value that our Institute expresses as a working methodology."