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 | Dec 15, 2016
OSHA releases safety recommendation guide for construction industry
It is said to be most helpful to small and mid-sized contractors.
Codes and Standards | Dec 14, 2016
Cities must invest $375 billion to avoid catastrophic global climate change
C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group advocates low carbon infrastructure.
Codes and Standards | Dec 14, 2016
Resilient construction techniques pay for themselves over lifetime of buildings
Spending $340,000 for resiliency would pay for itself over the lifetime of a $10 million structure.
Codes and Standards | Dec 12, 2016
Dept. of Energy launches program to advance zero energy school design
Six school districts and two states are among the first to mainstream zero energy schools.
Codes and Standards | Dec 9, 2016
California city’s plan for net zero building includes net zero water usage
Santa Monica city services building aims for highest level of sustainability.
Codes and Standards | Dec 8, 2016
WELL and BREEAM to align standards
The goal is to make it easier for projects pursuing both standards.
Codes and Standards | Dec 7, 2016
U.S. lumber industry pushes for import duties on Canadian softwood
The industry claims the product is being sold below fair market value.
Codes and Standards | Dec 5, 2016
International Construction Measurement Standards draft released
The goal is to improve consistency for calculating costs and reducing risk.
Codes and Standards | Dec 2, 2016
D.C. Council passes bill to reduce number of blighted properties
The new legislation reduces the amount of time a vacant property can qualify for a lower tax rate.
Codes and Standards | Dec 1, 2016
Passive House standard gaining influence in commercial sector
Some industry watchers predict it will become the base building code.