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
| Sep 12, 2022
San Antonio’s new courthouse aims to provide safety and security while also welcoming the public
The San Antonio Federal Courthouse, which opened earlier this year, replaces a courthouse that had been constructed as a pavilion for the 1968 World’s Fair.
Giants 400 | Sep 9, 2022
Top 25 Casino Engineering + EA Firms for 2022
Jacobs, IMEG Corp., EXP, and FEA Consulting Engineers head the ranking of the nation's largest casino engineering and engineering/architecture (EA) firms for 2022, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Sep 9, 2022
Top 70 Hospitality Sector Engineering + EA Firms for 2022
Jacobs, Jensen Hughes, EXP, and Kimley-Horn head the ranking of the nation's largest hospitality facilities sector engineering and engineering/architecture (EA) firms for 2022, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report. Note: This ranking includes revenue for all hospitality facilities work, including casinos, hotels, and resorts.
Giants 400 | Sep 9, 2022
Top 70 Hotel Sector Engineering + EA Firms for 2022
Jensen Hughes, Jacobs, WSP, and Kimley-Horn top the ranking of the nation's largest hotel and resort sector engineering and engineering/architecture (EA) firms for 2022, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report.
| Sep 9, 2022
Add sand shortage to supply chain woes
As if it wasn’t enough to have lumber, windows, doors, and metal pipe in short supply, you can add sand, which is theoretically plentiful on Earth, to the list of construction materials that can be hard to come by.
Senior Living Design | Sep 8, 2022
What’s new with AQ: The top trends in active adult living
Today's 55-or-better buyers are ready to design their lives and their homes as they see fit. With so much growth on tap, builders and developers must stay apprised of trends related to home, environment, and culture of 55+ communities.
| Sep 8, 2022
The Twin Cities’ LGBTQ health clinic moves into a new and improved facility
For more than 50 years, Family Tree Clinic has provided reproductive and sexual health services to underserved populations—from part of an old schoolhouse, until recently.
| Sep 8, 2022
U.S. construction costs expected to rise 14% year over year by close of 2022
Coldwell Banker Richard Ellis (CBRE) is forecasting a 14.1% year-on-year increase in U.S. construction costs by the close of 2022.
Giants 400 | Sep 7, 2022
Top 90 Industrial Sector Engineering + EA Firms for 2022
Jacobs, Integrated Project Services, Burns & McDonnell, and Kimley-Horn head the ranking of the nation's largest industrial facility sector engineering and engineering/architecture (EA) firms for 2022, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report.
| Sep 7, 2022
Use of GBCI building performance tools rapidly expanding
More than seven billion square feet of project space is now being tracked using Green Business Certification Inc.’s (GBCI’s) Arc performance platform.
