20 months ago
CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) -- Wine bottles on store shelves can end up as mostly shattered glass in an earthquake, costing money and creating a dangerous mess to clean up. But a new wine rack design by Oregon State University researchers can withstand strong quakes so bottles can be stored securely even in seismically sensitive locations. Newood Display Fixture Mfg. Co. of Eugene launched its MightyPine shelving after OSU professor Rakesh Gupta and Oregon Wood Innovation Center colleagues ran tests that simulated earthquakes measuring up to magnitude 7.1. The shelving units are primarily designed for wine departments in retail stores. The test racks stood 7-feet tall and were loaded with the equivalent of 30 cases of wine. The wood is flexible, allowing it to withstand earthquakes better than other, more rigid materials, such as steel.
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