After the great Hanshin-Awaji earthquake disasetr, the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (NIED) and the Science and Technology Agency of the Japanese Government (STA) planned to build a three-dimensional, full-scale, earthquake-testing facility (E-Defense) as one of the core research facilities for earthquake disaster prevention. It is hoped to be able to carry large-scale structures and to simulate the process of dynamic collapse using three-dimensional, strong earthquake records. For this purpose, the NIED has developed large actuators and related components from 1995 and completed them in 1998. After that, the NIED and the STA began the design and construction of the new facility in the fiscal year of 1998, and now, the construction work is in final stage at Miki City, near Kobe, Japan. It is scheduled to complete by the beginning of 2005. In this paper, the basic performance and features of this new facility and the outline of recent construction work are summarized.

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National research Institute for Earth science and Disaster prevention is constructing the world's largest 3-D full-scale shake table which is nicknamed as “E-Defense”. In order to resolve several subjects for the utilization of E-Defense, NIED investigates the themes as follows, 1) Establishment of utilization and wide area network systems, 2) Development of 3-D ground motion database and a numerical simulation system for the shake table, and 3) Test and analysis of reinforced concrete structures, soil-pile-structure systems and wooden structures for using E-Defense.

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The importance of ensuring uninterrupted electric power supply was reaffirmed on the occasion of the Hyogoken-Nanbu Earthquake in 1995, when the district was affected by extended power failure. The notice has been attached to the resistance of power generation facilities to severe earthquake. The seismic proving test of equipment and structures in thermal conventional power plant was conducted.

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After the 1995 Hyougoken-Nanbu earthquake, the models of concrete containment vessels and large scale piping systems were shaken by Tadotsu shaking table up to failure of the specimens. The failure modes of the specimens were clarified. The ultimate strength and seismic margin of specimens were estimated. After these tests, some seismic capacity tests of active components are being conducted.

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The International Standard “ISO 3010 Bases for design of structures-Seismic actions on structures” was published in 1988 through the activity of the working group of ISO/TC98. TC98 deals with “Bases for design of structures.” The aim of TC98 is to create a coherent design system of International Standards in the field of building and civil engineering works. ISO 3010 includes principles for the determination of seismic actions on structures and seismic design. The revision of ISO 3010 began in 1995, and the revised ISO 3010 was issued in December 2001. This paper introduces the activities of TC98 and the outline of the revised ISO 3010.

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The seismic performance of geotechnical works is significantly affected by ground displacement. In particular, soil-structure interaction and effects of liquefaction play major roles and pose difficult problems for engineers. An International Standard, ISO23469, is being developed for addressing these issues in a systematic manner within a consistent framework. This paper gives an overview of this International Standard.

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