Research at Case Western Reserve University has found that buildings that rock during an earthquake and return to plumb would withstand seismic shaking better than structural designs commonly used today in vulnerable zones of California and elsewhere.
Those buildings would also be more easily and cheaply repaired and could be put back into use faster, said Michael Pollino, an assistant civil engineering professor at Case School of Engineering. The computer model research suggests optimal sizes for damping devices and steel yielding devices that dissipate the energy of a quake.
Pollino’s model compares rocking steel-braced frames to current earthquake standards used in low- to mid-rise buildings. "Currently, engineers are designing low-rise structures for an earthquake that has a 10% chance of occurring in a 50-year-lifetime," Pollino said. "We accept there will be damage, but no collapse or loss of life. But what about an event that has a 50% chance of occurring? You may still have to tear the building down afterward.”
Pollino and other researchers are finding advantages to the design, which has not yet made it into practice. He and colleagues are discussing forming a technical committee of civil engineers that would advance the technology into practice. Pollino is now applying for funding to begin physically testing designs in the university's structures laboratory.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Apr 2, 2018
Experts chosen for ICC, ANCR buildings resilience benchmarks project
Specialists to focus on community preparedness for disasters.
Codes and Standards | Mar 29, 2018
Contractors have paid $5.2 million for failing local resident employee mandate on Detroit arena
Companies were only able to meet half of the 51% local worker requirement over course of the project.
Codes and Standards | Mar 28, 2018
Washington State moving to promote mass timber construction with legislation
Bill would require all 12-story or less public buildings to be built with mass timber.
Codes and Standards | Mar 27, 2018
Los Angeles appoints its first chief design officer
Responsibility for enhancing civic architecture and urban design.
Codes and Standards | Mar 26, 2018
National Roofing Contractors Assn., releases updates to its Roof Wind Designer app
Significant changes to online wind-load calculator.
Codes and Standards | Mar 22, 2018
Global construction waste to almost double by 2025
Concerns in Houston, Minnesota over environmental impacts.
Codes and Standards | Mar 21, 2018
Cape Town, South Africa’s dire water supply crisis raises concerns in the U.S.
Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, and Miami among cities at risk for water shortages.
Codes and Standards | Mar 20, 2018
Report shows how LEED certification supports net zero energy
Whole-building energy simulation, ASHRAE compliance requirement are key factors.
Codes and Standards | Mar 15, 2018
Energy efficiency measures contributing to flat demand for power
Utilities having difficulty adjusting to new business environment.
Codes and Standards | Mar 14, 2018
New parking lighting technology is paying off, Energy Dept. says
Newer products can cut energy costs by as much as 70%.