The TRANSFORM² experiment in Timișoara – Summary of Conducted Experimental Activities
20–25 October 2025 – An international team of geoscientists and engineers conducted a comprehensive experimental campaign in Timișoara, Romania, a key activity of TRANSFORM² WP2. The experiment brought together specialists from several European partner institutions to develop and validate innovative, real-time monitoring solutions for seismic and structural dynamics applications.
Summary
Hosted by the National Institute for Earth Physics (NIEP), the Timișoara experiment integrated both natural and anthropogenic seismic inputs to simulate realistic ground motion scenarios. The study focused on assessing the performance, sensitivity, and complementarity of various monitoring instruments — including high-rate GNSS receivers, accelerometers, and tiltmeters — mounted on a controlled shaking table.
Over four days, plus one for debriefing and follow-up scheduling, the experiment was performed using a large number of high-fidelity, mid-range, and low-cost GNSS receivers in many different configurations (external rubidium clocks, attached inclinometers, various sampling rates, different antennas and embedded solution software), as well as independent seismometers, inclinometers, and accelerometers. In parallel, real-time streaming and processing were performed to assess these aspects as well. The first upcoming task will be cleaning and documenting the measurements, followed by processing and analysis in a second stage.
Such a large-scale experiment is considered unique. Upon publication of the data and subsequent analyses, it is expected to enable the research team and others to better understand geodesy’s capabilities in the dynamic context of seismology. The seismic table (ANCO R-303) can achieve accelerations of up to 2g with a maximum payload of 125 kg. Designed and installed for indoor use, its relocation and outdoor setup—necessary for GNSS signal reception—proved challenging. The hosting cabin had to be dismantled, the table moved by crane and the setup stabilized at the site before the experiment. Afterwards, the table was returned and the cabin resealed. Preventing water ingress from precipitation was essential at every stage. This process highlighted the need to plan for outdoor operation of such equipment. The Romanian dealer was on hand to observe this unanticipated application.
Potential parallel actions related to the TRANSFORM² Timisoara experiment and other initiatives were discussed.
Institutional Contributions
Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale (Italy) participated with its LZER0 GNSS device, a cost-effective sensor designed for geodetic monitoring applications. Installed on the Romanian shaking table, LZER0 was tested under controlled dynamic conditions and compared with other instruments. Among the input waveforms, one reproducing the 1976 Friuli earthquake was used, providing both symbolic and scientific significance for seismic research.
The Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformatics, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences (Poland) contributed several geodetic-grade and low-cost GNSS receivers (Septentrio Mosaic x5, Javad Delta 3S, u-blox F9R), capable of high-rate, multi-GNSS observations. Some receivers were synchronized with an external rubidium clock provided by UPWr. A GNSS antenna, accelerometer, and tiltmeter were installed on the shaking table to evaluate the combined response of these instruments to simulated earthquake-induced vibrations.
The Department of Geology, University of Patras (Greece) participated with NET-G5 (1-TBD Hz), SOUTH NET S10 mini, and NET S9 (1–50 Hz) receivers. One of the devices was connected to an external rubidium clock to ensure precise timing corrections. Simulations reproduced three moderate earthquake events with available strong-motion (SM) data from stations at various epicentral distances and azimuths, resulting in a range of peak ground displacements (PGD). UPAT’s objective was to compare the GNSS recordings with seismic data to enhance Earthquake Early Warning Systems and improve earthquake source characterization.
National Institute for Earth Physics (Romania) conducted an advanced set of tests using the ANCO R-303 triaxial shaking table to reproduce realistic seismic motions similar to those generated in the Vrancea NFO region. The experiment involved a Leica GR50 high-rate GNSS receiver, a Leica Nivel210 biaxial leveling sensor, and a Kinemetrics Etna2 accelerometer, tested under controlled vibration conditions. The goal was to calibrate, validate, and compare the dynamic responses of these instruments, while analyzing noise behavior, data quality, and measurement accuracy.
The TRANSFORM² experiment in Timișoara – Summary of Conducted Experimental Activities
20–25 October 2025 – An international team of geoscientists and engineers conducted a comprehensive experimental campaign in Timișoara, Romania, a key activity of TRANSFORM² WP2. The experiment brought together specialists from several European partner institutions to develop and validate innovative, real-time monitoring solutions for seismic and structural dynamics applications.
Summary
Over four days, plus one for debriefing and follow-up scheduling, the experiment was performed using a large number of high-fidelity, mid-range, and low-cost GNSS receivers in many different configurations (external rubidium clocks, attached inclinometers, various sampling rates, different antennas and embedded solution software), as well as independent seismometers, inclinometers, and accelerometers. In parallel, real-time streaming and processing were performed to assess these aspects as well. The first upcoming task will be cleaning and documenting the measurements, followed by processing and analysis in a second stage.
Such a large-scale experiment is considered unique. Upon publication of the data and subsequent analyses, it is expected to enable the research team and others to better understand geodesy’s capabilities in the dynamic context of seismology. The seismic table (ANCO R-303) can achieve accelerations of up to 2g with a maximum payload of 125 kg. Designed and installed for indoor use, its relocation and outdoor setup—necessary for GNSS signal reception—proved challenging. The hosting cabin had to be dismantled, the table moved by crane and the setup stabilized at the site before the experiment. Afterwards, the table was returned and the cabin resealed. Preventing water ingress from precipitation was essential at every stage. This process highlighted the need to plan for outdoor operation of such equipment. The Romanian dealer was on hand to observe this unanticipated application.
Potential parallel actions related to the TRANSFORM² Timisoara experiment and other initiatives were discussed.
Institutional Contributions
Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale (Italy) participated with its LZER0 GNSS device, a cost-effective sensor designed for geodetic monitoring applications. Installed on the Romanian shaking table, LZER0 was tested under controlled dynamic conditions and compared with other instruments. Among the input waveforms, one reproducing the 1976 Friuli earthquake was used, providing both symbolic and scientific significance for seismic research.
The Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformatics, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences (Poland) contributed several geodetic-grade and low-cost GNSS receivers (Septentrio Mosaic x5, Javad Delta 3S, u-blox F9R), capable of high-rate, multi-GNSS observations. Some receivers were synchronized with an external rubidium clock provided by UPWr. A GNSS antenna, accelerometer, and tiltmeter were installed on the shaking table to evaluate the combined response of these instruments to simulated earthquake-induced vibrations.
The Department of Geology, University of Patras (Greece) participated with NET-G5 (1-TBD Hz), SOUTH NET S10 mini, and NET S9 (1–50 Hz) receivers. One of the devices was connected to an external rubidium clock to ensure precise timing corrections. Simulations reproduced three moderate earthquake events with available strong-motion (SM) data from stations at various epicentral distances and azimuths, resulting in a range of peak ground displacements (PGD). UPAT’s objective was to compare the GNSS recordings with seismic data to enhance Earthquake Early Warning Systems and improve earthquake source characterization.
National Institute for Earth Physics (Romania) conducted an advanced set of tests using the ANCO R-303 triaxial shaking table to reproduce realistic seismic motions similar to those generated in the Vrancea NFO region. The experiment involved a Leica GR50 high-rate GNSS receiver, a Leica Nivel210 biaxial leveling sensor, and a Kinemetrics Etna2 accelerometer, tested under controlled vibration conditions. The goal was to calibrate, validate, and compare the dynamic responses of these instruments, while analyzing noise behavior, data quality, and measurement accuracy.
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